Philippine Army went through a wringer before subduing D’Navigators- Iloilo, 21-25, 25-14, 25-19, 22-25, 15-12, in Pool A action of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday.
The Troopers missed the chance to wrap up the match in four as they wavered behind the service line but the troika of Mark Enciso, Benjaylo Labide and Wewe Medina spearheaded the team’s charge in the pressure-packed decider to pound out the victory.
“Okay naman, maganda yung ginalaw nila kaya lang nagkaroon kami ng errors sa service,” said Army head coach Melvin Carolino. “Sa fifth set na lang na-minimize (yung error) at gumanda yung laro ng team.”
The Troopers raced to a 10-6 lead in the fifth set courtesy of a Joel Villonson ace.
Deanne De Pedro rallied the D’Navigators to within, 12-14, with an off-the-block hit but Medina blasted in a cross-court hit to secure the win for the Troopers.
Enciso top scored for Army with 22 points on 19 attacks and three blocks, while Labide tallied 20 points, including 19 attacks, to lead the Troopers’ assault in their one-hour, 57-minute duel.
