Philippine Army is finally enjoying one of its best performances in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference in recent memory after spending time in the league’s cellar for the past four years.
The Troopers are currently on the verge of making it to the quarterfinals of the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision after securing a crucial 25-21, 26-28, 19-25, 25-14, 15-11 win over Don Pacundo-DLSU Dasmarinas last Wednesday.
At the forefront of Army’s impressive start is 36-year-old Benjaylo Labide, who continues to defy age in hopes of delivering the Troopers back to the playoffs of the country’s premier men’s volleyball league.
The long-time Army veteran, who has been with the squad ever since its formation in 2017, delivered a game-high 21 points against the Patriots to help his side move up to 3-1 in Pool A.
“Siguro ano, kailangan pa namin ibigay yung best namin. Kailangan namin alisin yung diesel mentality ng team kasi ang tagal mag-init ng team pagdating sa laro especially volleyball, paunahan ‘to,” said staff sergeant Labide, noting that all of the team’s wins reached five sets.
Labide bared that the team got a much-needed boost in their Spikers’ Turf campaign, winning – at long last – the AFP Olympics against defending champion Philippine Navy after years of enduring heartbreak.
The high-leaping wing spiker hopes that their massive win in the AFP Olympics will serve as motivation for the rest of the Troopers as they try to make their return to the playoffs after four years.
“So yun, morale booster para sa amin. Na kagaya nga nun, all throughout ng season namin puro five sets and then yung game namin sa AFP Olympics, five sets din yung pinanalo namin,” said Labide.
“So kahit papaano namemaintain namin yung kapit namin doon sa laro. At the same time yung eagerness namin na gusto naming manalo sa laro.”
Aside from finally breaking from the bottom of the league, Labide also expressed their eagerness to repay the trust that was given to them by their Philippine Army by winning the Invitational Conference.
“Correct, tama yun. Talagang maganda yung season namin ngayon. Syempre gustong gusto namin makapasok sa playoffs kasi all throughout ng mga sacrifices namin, yung mga taong tumutulong sa amin,” said Labide.
“Gusto namin ibalik yung mga tulong at suporta na binibigay nila sa amin. Motivation sa amin yun and inspiration lalo na yung family namin sa Philippine Army, yung mga sponsors namin. Gusto namin i-give back sa kanila.”
