AMC-Cotabato ended the elimination round as the second seed after a four-set win over Iloilo, 25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena, Sunday night.
Four players reached double digits in scoring for the 9-1 Cotabato Spikers led by Jau Umandal with 18 points on 14 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to go along with 12 excellent receptions.
Rex Intal tallied five attacks, four blocks, and an ace while Jayvee Sumagaysay and Steven Rotter had 10 points apiece as well in Cotabato’s fourth straight victory.
“I think they’re ready. We are ready for the semifinals so come semifinals meron na kaming game plan specifically targeting the opponents na,” said Cotabato spikers head coach Odjie Mamon.
“No bearing ‘to even if we lose in three, four, or five sets we’re still number two pero pinilit kong manalo so win, win, win ang mindset heading into the semifinals and hopefully by Wednesday ma-active na rin yung mga sidelined na players,” he added.
Jade Disquitado’s 24-point outing went for naught as the D’Navigators absorbed their third loss to drop to 7-3 heading into the round-robin semifinals.
Iloilo tied Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography in the standings but the former has superior set ratio over the latter which is why the AJAA Spikers dropped to fourth.
Deanne De Pedro had 10 points, 10 excellent receptions, and seven excellent digs while Mfena Gwaza had nine markers which includes four blocks.
