AMC-Cotabato bucked a sluggish start to down young and hungry Santa Rosa in four sets, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Jau Umandal was on a mission, unleashing 22 points scattered through 18 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace while also tallying 14 excellent receptions for the 3-0 Cotabato Spikers to join idle Iloilo at the top.
Madz Gampong and Jayvee Sumagaysay chipped in 10 points apiece while five more AMC players scored at least six points, namely Arnold Bautista (seven), Rex Intal (six), Edward Camposano (six), Fauzi Ismail (six), and Lloyd Josafat (six).
“Mayroon akong gusto na makitang dalawang rotation na maimprove pero sumama naman ‘yung dalawang posisyon, even lang walang improvement,” lamented Cotabato head coach Odjie Mamon, whose team committed 40 errors.
“Pero yung grit, yung kapit namin, yung resilience, composure. Syempre mas beterano ito kesa sa kabilang team,” he continued.
AMC fell by three points midway through the first set before Bautista came through for them to take the early advantage but in the second frame, they could not stop the onslaught of the Lions led by Yoyong Mendoza to equalize, 25-22.
That downfall was an eye-opener for Cotabato, which then banked on Umandal and Islmail in the third before completely leaving Santa Rosa in the fourth.
Mendoza paced the Lions, who sank to 0-4, with 13 points, while Axel Book added 10 points.
Santa Rosa will seek its first win on Sunday against the skidding Vanguard at 5:30 pm.
Meanwhile, Cotabato, with nine of its players called up to the national team as well as Mamon who will have a 10-day training camp in Taiwan starting February 15, will next play on March 1 against National U-Archipelago.
