The Sealions escaped the D’Navigators in five sets, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-10, while the Hard Hitters fended off RichMarc Sports 3B in four, 25-21, 25-13, 25-27, 25-20.
Joeven Dela Vega came for Navy in the fifth set, scoring eight big points in the decider to help the Sealions stave off the hard-fighting D’Navigators and lock in the third seed in the round-robin semifinals with a 6-2 record.
With the scores locked at 8-all in the finale, Dela Vega hammered back-to-back hits to kick-start a 3-0 swing that gave the Sealions an 11-8 advantage.
The D’Navigators answered back with two consecutive points, but it was not enough as Navy went on a four-to-nothing finishing kick highlighted by two straight aces from Dela Vega to finish the two-hour, three-minute contest.
“Yung proper execution ng ginawa namin, preparation for training. Na-apply naman siya. Nung fourth set lang medyo nagawa kami sa game plan,” said Navy head coach George Pascua.
Dela Vega, who only had 11 points entering the fifth, finished with 19 points on 16 attacks, two aces, and one block while Peter Quiel played his best game of the conference with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks.
Team captain Greg Dolor contributed 14 markers while Omar Lioc had 12 points, five excellent digs, and four excellent receptions.
In the first game, the Hard Hitters, who snapped a three-game skid, finished the conference with a 2-6 record tied with VNS-Nasty and Philippine Air Force, but were able to take the seventh spot due to superior points.
“Syempre masaya kasi nakuha nga namin yung goal namin na we’ll end the season with a bang so ayun panalo naman,” said Maverick head coach Erickson Ramos.
Kim Tan saved his best for last, unloading a game-high 18 points, 17 of which came from attacks, to lead five players in double digits for Maverick in the two-hour contest.
Jerome Cordez tallied 14 points while team captain Razzel Palisoc had 12 markers and seven excellent digs. John Rabino and Jethro Cabillan both ended with 11 points to round out the double-digit scorers for the Hard Hitters.
“Siguro nagkaroon lang ng lapses nung third set, nag-relax nga pero sinabi ko lang sa kanila na kunin na natin yung fourth set, ‘wag na natin pahabain pa kasi kayang kaya naman natin,” said Ramos.
Meanwhile, the Elite Spikers ended the tournament winless with a disappointing 0-8 record.
Kernel Ipulan paced RichMarc with 14 points while Gideon Guadalupe and Bonjomar Castel each had 13 points. Kim Melanez added 11 points in the loss
