Santa Rosa grabbed its second straight five-set win in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, this time over veteran Philippine Army, 27-25, 23-25, 21-25, 26-24, 15-8, at Paco Arena on Friday evening.
Yoyong Mendoza spearheaded the Lions with 20 points, 11 excellent receptions, and eight digs, while Axel Book dropped 15 points including four blocks and 16 receptions.
Middle blockers Anrie Bakil and Gabriel Magsino got 13 points apiece, while Kevin Montemayor chipped in 11 points off the bench.
“Yung pinakita ng mga bata talagang puso. Unti-unti na nilang nalalaman yung specific roles nila,” said Santa Rosa head coach Edu Lirio.
It was the clutch hits of Book and Mendoza in the extended fourth frame that forced a decider before the Lions just ran away with it in the fifth.
They raced to a 9-3 advantage with Bakil, Montemayor, and Magsino making the damage with help from Army’s errors.
The Sealions rose to 2-4 at seventh, just behind 2-3 Troopers.
PJ Rojas led Army’s charge with 20 points, while Kevin Liberato and Mark Enciso produced 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Army will next battle Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. Meanwhile, Santa Rosa gets a full week of rest before facing Philippine Air Force next Friday.
