AMC-Cotabato revived its 2023 Spikers Turf Open Conference Finals hopes with a tight straight sets win against Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography, 25-19, 28-26, 25-23, Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Cotabato Spikers were composed down the stretch in the third set, coming back from a 21-23 deficit after AJAA Spiker Hero Austria went crosscourt.
Jau Umandal came through with a through-the-block kill before Vince Mangulabnan knotted the game with a service ace.
Then back-to-back errors by Imus ended the game.
"Mindset lang namin hindi kami pwedeng matalo kumbaga do or die eh. Ginawa lang namin yung best namin," said Umandal.
Umandal delivered 20 points and nine excellent receptions while Madz Gampong added 10 points.
Imus, which was led by Kim Malabunga's 10 points and Austria's 10 points and 20 receptions, still has a chance but needs to win against Iloilo on Monday in straight sets and hopes AMC loses against Cignal to force a triple-tie for second.
