Jade Disquitado reset the conference records while towing Iloilo past Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography in four sets, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, in the 2023 Spikers Turf Open Conference battle for third on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Disquitado exploded with a conference-high of 34 points on 33 attacks to lead the D’Navigators to their first victory over the AJAA Spikers in the tournament.
“Oo talagang pinaglaban namin kasi syempre sabi ko nga sa kanila, magpapabugbog lang ba kami sa Imus? Hindi kami babawi? Yun yung mindset ko e,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
After a slow start in the first set, Iloilo went on to take the second set after a Disquitado off-the-block kill put the team at set point, 24-22. Ridz Muhali saved a point for Imus but a block touch challenge in the following play was found unsuccessful which tied the game at 1-all.
The D’Navigators then turned an 18-17 lead into a 24-20 advantage after Rash Nursiddik connected on a quick hit before eventually taking a 2-1 advantage.
In the fourth set, Iloilo went on a blistering 5-1 run capped by a Paul Bryan Malaiba crosscourt kill to break a 19-all deadlock and take a 24-20 advantage. Mfena Gwaza committed a service error before Disquitado ended the game with an emphatic kill.
“Kailangan naming bumawi kasi kung matalo pa kami, tatlong talo na tapos kung matalo pa sa Friday apat na so sabi ko para na lang sa mga sarili natin, kung gusto niyo talaga lumaban. Ayun, buti na lang talagang nag-trabaho sila,” added Panes.
Iloilo can clinch bronze on Friday.
De Pedro contributed 12 points on 12 attacks to go along with 14 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs while Nursiddik added 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
John Arano steered Iloilo’s offense with 22 excellent sets while Johnmark Espanso netted 11 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
On the other hand, Ronniel Rosales scored 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and an ace while Hero Austria produced 14 points on 12 attacks to go with eight excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in a losing cause.
