Alpha Insurance displayed its dominance over a short-handed PGJC-Navy squad, securing a 25-23, 25-21, 25-23 victory for its second win in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in Pasig City.
The Protectors' lone victory in the first round also came at the expense of the Sealions, eking out a hard-fought 25-21, 26-24, 25-19 win to close the tournament’s opening phase.
Coming off a straight-set loss to Criss Cross at the start of the second round, Alpha Insurance welcomed back key players Edward Camposano, Vincent Nadera, and JJ Javelona — all of whom sat out the previous game. Their return proved crucial as the trio powered the Protectors to a bounce-back win that lifted them to solo fourth place with a 2-5 win-loss record.
“Nasunod naman ‘yung plano namin ng mga coaches, nagpahinga ‘yung ibang mga player (last game). At paghandaan ‘yung mga upcoming games katulad nito,” said Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos.
“Pinahinga ko na ‘yung mga dapat naming ipahinga (last game), at ayun kita naman na ready sila this game,” he added.
The match remained tightly contested throughout, but Alpha Insurance held its composure to outlast the veteran-laden Navy side in all three sets. The one-hour, 23-minute triumph kept the Protectors’ semifinal hopes alive in the Open Conference, supported by Arena Plus and Mikasa.
In the decisive third set, Javelona and Camposano found themselves locked in a tense battle with the Sealions, as both teams traded points in a thrilling back-and-forth exchange. The intensity peaked at 23-all following a powerful backrow attack from John Ashley Jacob.
However, Alpha Insurance remained steady in the clutch, with Camposano and Nadera stepping up to deliver consecutive points off the block, sealing the hard-earned victory.
Camposano led the charge with 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces, and one block, along with 12 excellent receptions. Nadera contributed 14 points, while Javelona provided a solid all-around performance with 10 points and 12 excellent receptions. JM Apolinario orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets.
Alpha Insurance aims to solidify its hold on fourth place when it faces Savouge on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Meanwhile, Navy fell to sixth place with a 1-6 record after suffering its fifth straight defeat. Jacob paced the Sealions with 17 points, all from attacks, while Peter Quiel and Edsel Menoncia added 11 and nine points, respectively.
The Sealions will attempt to snap their losing streak when they face VNS-Laticrete on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
