Santa Rosa City nailed its breakthrough victory in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the expense of winless Ateneo de Manila University-Fudgee Barr, 25-20, 17-25, 25-17, 25-23, at the Paco Arena on Tuesday night.
After Amil Pacinio pulled the Blue Eagles to within one in the fourth set, 23-24, Gabby Hernandez closed the match on a drop ball for the Lions triumph.
“Pinakamasarap itong first win!” said Santa Rosa City head coach Edu Lirio. “Sobrang hirap. Para kaming nakawala sa chain, sana dire-diretso para sa team.”
A 6-1 finishing kick by the Lions in the first set, punctuated by Emmanuel Hernandez’s kill block over Matthew Salarzon, gave them the lead early, 25-20.
However, the Blue Eagles bounced back big time with an 8-2 start in the second frame, eventually leveling the game at one set apiece, 25-17.
But Santa Rosa City regained its form in the third with a 6-2 spurt to turn a 13-10 close affair to a 19-12 insurmountable lead en route to a 25-17 tally to move a set away from the win.
Jade Disquitado spearheaded the Lions, who got 47 free points off Ateneo’s errors, with 11 points and seven digs.
Hernandez brothers Gabby and Emman produced nine points apiece, while Dave Lardizabal chipped in eight points, including two blocks.
The Lions now rose to 1-2, good for fifth, while sending the Blue Eagles to 0-3 for rock bottom.
The trio of Kennedy Batas, Pacinio, and Salarzon tried to lift Ateneo-Fudgee Barr with 15, 14, and 10 points, respectively.
Both clubs will have a three-day break before returning to action on Saturday.
Santa Rosa City will clash with National University-Sta. Elena at 2:30 pm, while Ateneo-Fudgee Barr will close the day against Army-Katinko at 5:30 pm.
