National University-Sta. Elena grabbed a share of the 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference leadership after a reverse sweep over Philippine Navy, 17-25, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, 18-16, Tuesday afternoon at the Paco Arena.
With the Sea Lions at match point after EJ Casaña’s block on Nico Almendras 16-15, Navy committed two straight errors before Jenngerard Diao’s rejected Greg Dolor for the Nationals win.
“Sobrang ganda ng ginalaw namin. Importante sa akin ‘yung… last part ng game namin ‘yung sistema namin sa paglalaro nakita namin talagang nandoon,” said NU Sta. Elena head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Knotted at 7-all, the Sea Lions broke away with a huge blast that saw them win the first frame by eight, 25-17.
Jao Umandal then put Navy on his back in the second set. Tied at 24, the 6-foot-2 spiker who played in Bahrain early in the year nailed back-to-back points off a tip and an off-the-block hit, 26-24.
But the Nationals fought back in the third with a strong 19-12 start en route to the 25-19 tally to extend the match.
And with teams locked at 24 in the fourth period, 6-foot-6 Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba rose to the occasion with back-to-back blocks on Umandal and Ron Rosales to force a decider.
Mukaba was a tower at the net with 10 of NU-Sta. Elena’s 22 blocks, to go with six attacks and one service ace for 17 points.
“I’m happy because last game I missed some of my blocks and coach asked me to do 10 blocks that’s why I tried to do this. I’m happy for that,” said Mukaba.
Almendras finished with 16 points, while Kennry Malinis and Michaelo Buddin added 13 apiece in the victory.
The Nationals joined Cignal and VNS-One Alicia at the top with identical 2-0 records, while the Sea Lions slipped to 1-1, good for fourth.
Umandal paced the Sea Lions with 22 points, while Dolor and Joeven Dela Vega chimed in 19 each in the losing effort.
Navy will return to the taraflex right away on Thursday against Army-Katinko at 5:30 pm. Meanwhile, NU-Sta. Elena battles Santa Rosa City on Saturday at 2:30 pm.
