Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Sta. Elena-NU survives 0-2 hole, IEM to book showdown vs Air Force


Facing elimination, Joshua Retamar and Sta. Elena-National University said not today, stunning IEM in dramatic fashion, 22-25, 21-25, 28-26, 25-21, 15-4, to enter the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Semifinals, Thursday at the Paco Arena.

Retamar led the offensive attack, dishing out 35 excellent sets along with two points to lead the Ball Hammers to the Final Four after wasting their twice-to-beat incentive in the first game.

“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na panindigan nila yung pride nila, we are a champion team at ‘wag sila bumigay nung third set. Although muntik muntikan na, I give it also to IEM kasi talagang pinahirapan nila kami, they pushed us to our limit,” said Sta. Elena head coach Dong Dela Cruz.

Staring at a 0-2 hole, the Ball Hammers leaned on the offensive brilliance of Natividad, Nico Almendras, and Banjo Mondero to forge a decider.

During the win-or-home stanza, Sta. Elena didn’t have to do much, as the tired Volley Masters committed error after error which led to an 8-1 lead for the Ball Hammers.

Razzel Palisoc tried to swing the momentum to IEM after scoring on back-to-back hits, but Idin Daymil fired three points in a 5-0 spurt which then took the fight out of the Volley Masters.

Natividad – who is coming off his UAAP beach volleyball stint – shouldered the offensive load and poured in 20 points.

Almendras, meanwhile, tallied a triple-double with 18 points built on 14 attacks, three blocks, and an ace laced with 22 excellent receptions and 11 digs.

Daymil provided 12 markers in the victory. Krisvan Ponti added nine points while Mondero and Edward Camposano had seven and six points, respectively.

#ReadMore  Another excellent outing by Jeron Teng ends up with a loss

Ricky Marcos patrolled the floor with 21 excellent digs and 20 receptions.

IEM, on the other hand, was paced by Mark Enciso 15 points.

Joven Camaganakan scored 13 points and tallied 33 excellent receptions along with six digs for the Volley Masters in a losing cause.

Sta. Elena goes up against Go for Gold-Air Force in the semifinals on Sunday, at the same venue.

Written By


You May Also Like

News

Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez had a career-high 34 points as University of Santo Tomas recovered from an abysmal collapse in the first set to...

News

After losing its first game in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament, National University is on a romp, winning its next seven games...

News

National University needed to fend off University of the Philippines in the first two sets before having its way in the third, 25-23, 25-22,...

DLSU

Titlteholder National University ended the first round with six straight wins following a 25-20, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21 conquest of De La Salle in the...

News

FOUR-PEAT seeking National University woke up after a sluggish start to finish off University of the East in straight sets, 25-23, 25-13, 25-12, and...

FEU

Defending champion National University sent Far Eastern University reeling to its first loss in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament via a five-set...

News

UAAP’s reigning best setter and Finals MVP Joshua Retamar waxed hot for the NU Bulldogs not only in setting up plays but also in...

News

Joshua Retamar is National University’s biggest advantage against its opponents and he proved it again on Saturday. The three-time defending champions took down University...

Advertisement