Army fought its way through quarterfinal contention in style, upending erstwhile unbeaten National U-Sta. Elena, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, in a highly-charged Sunday thriller in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Mark Enciso, Benjaylo Labide, and Wewe Medina put up another combined stellar games, lifting the Troopers to the much-needed victory over one of the league's fancied teams, catching them at the helm of Pool A play with 4-1 (win-loss) records.
But the Troopers’ playoffs fate hinges on the result of the Kinto Tyres-Perpetual (3-1)-Don Pacundo-DLSU Dasmariñas (0-4) on Wednesday. A Perpetual victory will force a three-way tie at the top among NU and Army with the Altas and the Nationals advancing due to higher tiebreak points over the Troopers.
But a reversal will send the Troopers to the knockout phase of the season-ending tournament organized by Sports Vision.
“Proud na proud talaga ako sa team na ‘to kasi yung preparation namin, nakita namin na maganda yung resulta. Maganda yung kinalabasan. Naglaro kami kung ano talaga yung Army,” said Army head coach Melvin Carolino.
Trailing by three points heading to the stretch of the fourth set, the Troopers went to Labide, who responded with three hits in a big 6-0 binge that put Army on top, 19-17.
Nico Almendras’ cross-court hit kept the Nationals’ within a point but Labide delivered another back-to-back attacks for a 21-18 Army lead.
Labide committed a net touch in the ensuing play, while Michaelo Buddin’s consecutive hits tied the match. But Kevin Liberato and Enciso scored back-to-back hits to regain the lead for the Troopers. And after Buddin fired another off-the-block hit, Enciso hammered down a couple of down-the-line blasts to finish off the Nationals.
“Malaking bagay ‘to. Kumbaga, alas na namin ‘to. Lahat lahat napakita namin although may mga kulang pa, kailangan ma-sustain namin ‘to lalo kung makakapasok kami sa quarterfinals,” added Carolino.
Enciso finished with a game-high 22 points on 19 attacks, two blocks and an ace while Labide and Medina backed him up with 16 points each, with the latter also contributing 13 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
Buddin led the way for the Nationals with 19 points on 17 attacks and two blocks while Jade Disquitado and Rwenzmel Taguibolos added 10 markers apiece in the team’s first loss of the season.
