DN Steel-FEU stunned D’Navigators Iloilo with a hard-fought 25-18, 16-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory, propelling the Ultras to the top of the leaderboard in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig on Sunday night.
Dryx Saavedra played a pivotal role in halting a strong fightback from D’Navigators, who managed to close a significant gap from 12-19 down in the fourth set to 17-20. Saavedra’s efforts paved the way for Mikko Espartero to step up in the clutch.
Espartero made his mark with consecutive kill blocks, followed by back-to-back kills that sealed the one-hour,. 49-minute match for DN Steel.
Despite D’Navigators’ late surge, saving two match points thanks to Edward Camposano and a contested DN Steel error, Espartero delivered the decisive blow with a powerful spike from Zone 4, ending the match and securing DN Steel-FEU’s second win of the conference.
“Talagang nag-prepare kami maigi kila D’Navigators kasi alam natin mga veteran players ‘yung nasa kanila so sila (Jayvee) Sumagaysay, ‘yan ‘yung mga panahon na naging Best Middle Blocker during his time sa UAAP,” said DN Steel-FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo.
“May (Edward) Camposano pa, ‘yung setter Kim (Dayandante), hindi matatawaran ‘yan kaya talagang nag-prepare kami sa kanila,” added Orcullo.
Saavedra fired a game-high 21 points and made eight excellent digs to lead the Ultras’ charge, while Espartero sustained his red-hot performance, delivering 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks.
Benny Martinez anchored the team’s win with 22 excellent sets, while Vennie Paul Ceballos registered 20 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs DN Steel-FEU.
The Ultras will take a two-week break before taking on the VNS Griffins on Nov. 3, 4:00 p.m., at the Philsports Arena.
Meanwhile, Camposano scored 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks, but it was not enough to lift the D’Navigators, who dropped to 1-1 as escaping past the Chichi Titans in five last week.
Sumagaysay added 14 points on 10 attacks, three blocks, and one ace. But no other player from the D’Navigators hit double-digits with Madz Gampong and Kyle Villamor settling for nine and seven points, respectively.
