ANTIPOLO — Clearskiiin overcame a first-set stumble before taking control of the match to turn back 3B, 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, and open its campaign in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference with a victory on Thursday at the Ynares Center here.
Formed just over a month before the start of the tournament, the UV Smashers shook off a slow start, found their rhythm, and pulled away in the fourth set to secure a winning debut against the Event Masters.
“I think it was exciting, you know. I love the fact that, number one, we were able to get everyone in. And when I say that, it’s that up to this point, I’ve had a difficult time trying to figure out a starting six, a starting seven,” said Clearskiiin head coach Joe Bangit.
“But the fact that the entire team was in and we got a win, it shows how much work they really put in practice. So, I’m really proud,” he added.
After an inconsistent showing in the first three sets, the UV Smashers finally found their groove in the fourth, breaking the game open and stretching their lead to 19-10 on a thunderous service ace from Jay Rack De La Noche.
A service error by De La Noche allowed the Event Masters to score three of the next four points and trim the deficit. However, Angela Gayud and Klint Mateo quickly restored order with a 3-0 run, extending Clearskiiin’s advantage to double digits at 23-10.
3B mounted one last push with a 3-0 run behind Harry Ocay, but it proved too little, too late as Gayud sealed the UV Smashers’ victory with back-to-back pipe attacks after nearly two hours of action.
Mateo orchestrated Clearskiiin’s balanced offensive attack with 26 excellent sets and two points.
Vince Abrot led the UV Smashers with 13 points, tallying 10 attacks and three blocks off the bench. De La Noche and Jester Bornel chipped in 12 points apiece in the victory.
Team captain Louis Gamban added 10 points, while JM Ronquillo contributed seven markers in two sets of action.
Clearskiiin will shoot for a second straight win when it faces AEP-Cabstars on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
For the Event Masters, Ocay led all scorers with 23 points.
Ralph Cabalsa chipped in 10 markers, while Carl Berdal finished with eight points, 11 excellent receptions, and six excellent digs in the defeat.
3B will look to bounce back and secure its first victory when it takes on the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
