By: Christian David Ruiz
Ill-stricken VNS breezed through the first two sets before outlasting Martelli Meats in an extended third frame, securing a 25-21, 25-17, 29-27 sweep in its first win of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Despite several players battling the flu, the Griffins found themselves facing a 22-24 deficit in the third set.
However, veterans Benjaylo Labide, Christian Olaes, and Titus Villacrusis stepped up, saving four match points and clinching the victory after a hard-fought one-hour and 28-minute match.
“Maganda naman ‘yung ginalaw nila. Actually, may problem kami kasi ang daming may flu sa’min. ‘Yung middle blocker ko wala, ‘yung [Roderick] Medino [na] starter ko, hindi pa rin siya okay. Galing siya sa five-day na flu eh, ‘di pa siya nakaka-recover,” said VNS head coach Ralph Ocampo.
“So ‘yung first two sets namin, setter talaga laro ni [Howard] Guerra eh, so talagang adjust kami sa training. And ayun, we just prepared all the players to be ready in case na matawag namin sila to serve the team,” he added.
The Master Butchers threatened to extend the match into a fourth set with a spirited performance late in the third but ultimately fell short.
Villacrusis and Kim Cris Liray scored back-to-back points, turning a 27-all deadlock into a victory.
With several players dealing with the flu, Charles Segui and Liray led the offense with 14 points each.
Segui also showcased his defensive skills, contributing 14 receptions and 10 digs.
Olaes chipped in with 10 points, including seven attacks and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Villacrusis and Medino – still recovering from illness – added eight and six points, respectively, as the Griffins improved their record to 1-1.
VNS will have a one-day break before returning to action against Savouge on Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
Meanwhile, Martelli Meats fell to 0-2 in the standings, with Andrei Bundoc and Jerome Cordez leading the team with 10 and nine points, respectively.
Razzel Palisoc and Angelo Reyes each contributed eight points in the loss.
The Master Butchers will look to enter the win column against EcoOil-La Salle on Sunday at 2:00 PM at the same venue in Pasig.
