Army stepped up its net defense in the fourth and hammered out a 25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18 victory over Vanguard to move to joint fourth in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.
PJ Rojas unleashed a 16-point game, including 15 kills, Mark Enciso backed him up with 13 points and finished with eight excellent digs, while Benjaylo Labide dished out a superb all-around game of nine points, 11 excellent receptions and eight digs for the the Troopers.
Kevin Liberato added seven points for Army, which bounced back from a four-set setback to Cotabato last week following a five-set escape over Navy in the inaugurals of the league organized by Sports Vision, to join idle Imus at 2-1.
But the Troopers needed to toughen up on their defense upfront to foil the Volley Hitters’ attacks. Although they finished with four blocks overall against their rivals’ seven, they failed to produce one in the third that stymied their charge and enabled the Volley Hitters’ to extend the match.
"Wala kaming na-block nung third set. Sabi ko kapag pinabayaan nila na paluan nang paluan, wala talaga kaming maii-score. Pero kung sa blocking pa lang sisimulan na natin, doon na tayo pupuntos," said Army head coach Melvin Carolino, whose team improved to 2-1, doubling their win total in the last conference.
After dropping the first two sets, the Volley Hitters went to Vince Abrot and Razzel Palisoc, who took over with key hits in the third to avert a sweep.
But the Troopers regrouped and responded to Carolino, storming to a 15-6 lead, only to find the resilient Volley Hitters close to within, 15-17. ?
Liberato, however, teamed up with Jaidal Abdulmajid to deliver the clutch hits and frustrate the Volley Hitters.
"'Yun ang maganda sa team namin ngayon kasi sundalo sila lahat so isang sabi mo lang, susunod kaagad kaya solid 'yung team namin ngayon," added Carolino, whose wards are all enlisted personnel.
Abrot led the Vanguard, which dropped to 1-2, charge anew with 15 points on 10 attacks and five aces. He also had 10 excellent receptions and nine digs, while Palisoc made 13 points, all from hits, and Joven Camaganakan came off the bench to fire 10 points.
