Philippine Navy opened its 2022 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference campaign with a straight sets win over Ateneo-Fudgee Barr, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, Thursday at the Paco Arena.
Navy survived an error-plagued battle that saw its squad give up 30 free points while the Blue Eagles returned the favor with 28 errors.
“Kinausap namin sila nung umpisa na huwag sila magbigay ng kumpyansa kasi mga bata ‘yan (Ateneo-Fudgee Barr) eh, once na gumanda ‘yung laro nila, tuloy tuloy yan,” said Navy head coach Cecile Cruzada. “Maganda ‘yung nilaro namin. ‘Yung pinag-ensayohan namin, ‘yung enjoyment saka ‘yung communication nila nandoon.”
Ahead 23-20, Navy and Ateneo-Fudgee Barr exchanged four straight errors, with the last three from the service line, to give the former the first frame, 25-22.
But in the second set, it was all Navy as it raced to a 16-8 lead and never looked back to move a canto away from the sweep, 25-19.
With Navy leading, 22-18, Joeven Dela Vega and Jao Umandal connived for the closing 3-1 blitz for the victory, 25-19.
Umandal spearheaded Navy with 13 points on 12 attacks, while Peter Quiel chimed in 11 points of his own.
Dela Vega produced 10 points, while EJ Casaña had 22 excellent sets.
Amil Pacinio was at the forefront of Ateneo-Fudgee Barr anew with eight points, eight digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Kennedy Batas added eight points as well, while Jetlee Gopio delivered seven points.
Navy created a four-way logjam at the top at 1-0 while pulling the Blue Eagles down to 0-2, alone at the bottom.
Both squads will return on Tuesday. Navy will face National University-Sta. Elena at 2:30 pm, while Ateneo-Fudgee Barr will square off against Santa Rosa City at 5:30 pm.
