AMC-Cotabato made quick work of VNS, 25-21, 25-16, 25-23, for a blazing debut in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Friday evening at Paco Arena.
Jao Umandal top-scored for Cotabato with 12 points built on 10 attacks to go with nine excellent receptions, while Rex Intal, formerly of Cignal, dropped nine points.
“I can see na nag-eenjoy ‘yung mga players. Kaya lang I had to call a timeout nung third set, call out ko rin sila na masyado na silang nag-eenjoy,” shared AMC head coach Odjie Mamon.
“Iko-correct namin yan. We’ll have a day-off tomorrow, Sunday workout, and we’ll have two days to prepare para sa next game namin so ituturo ko lang ulit ‘yung sistema, ireremind ko lang sila na may bagong pattern,” he added.
The trio of Umandal, Jayvee Sumagaysay, and Madz Gampong joined hands to turn an 11-all deadlock into a wide 22-15 lead to take the first set for the Spikers from the South.
But Cotabato stepped it up a notch come the next period, racing to a 19-9 spread through the efforts of Umandal and Arnold Bautista to breeze through the 2-0 advantage, 25-16.
The Griffins did not go away silently though as they fought hard in the third, leading by three late, 20-17.
However, untimely errors from VNS and the connection between Gampong, Lloyd Josafat, Edward Camposano, and Intal paved the way for the AMC comeback, 25-23.
Jake Buslig led the new-look VNS, which only had three holdovers from its roster last season, with 12 points on 10 spikes and two service aces.
Up next for Cotabato is Philippine Army on Wednesday at 3 pm while the Griffins will face Vanguard at 5:30 pm.
