Iloilo snatched victory from the clutches of defeat as it battled back from two sets down and an eight-point deficit in the third to pull off a stirring 19-21, 21-25, 28-26, 26-24, 15-13 victory over a stunned Santa Rosa side in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena last night.
Jade Disquitado unleashed a 24-attack game and finished with 25 points while Mfena Gwaza scored on back-to-back quick attacks to finish off the City Lions in the decider and cap the D’Navigators amazing come-from-behind victory that stretched their win run to six for solo second behind the solid Cignal HD Spikers (7-0).
Santa Rosa, which came into the match exuding confidence following a three-game sweep after four straight losses, went out of the arena hurting after blowing a huge lead and reeling to 3-5 for joint seventh with the Army Troopers.
Rash Nursiddik and Jerome Cordez backed Disquitado with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
“Kaya naman talaga. Actually, kaya naman. May times lang na complacent masyado saka masyadong nagre-relax. Pero nung ginawa naman nila nang maayos yung game nila nakita naman na kaya talaga,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
The City Lions pulled within, 12-13, in the decider after Axel Book fired a crosscourt attack coupled with a net violation by the D’Navigators. But Sta. Rosa failed to sustain its charge as Gwanza scored on a quick hit to put Iloilo at match point.
Yoyong Mendoza scored on a crosscourt hit to keep the Lions’ bid alive but Gwanza countered with another quick.
“Sabi ko gawin nila yung role nila, gawin nila yung part nila kasi lahat sila may role diyan sa court. Gawin lang nila yung part nila, mag-trabaho sila, at makinig lang sila,” added Panes.
Gwanza finished with 10 markers while Deanne De Pedro added nine points along with nine digs. JM Apolinario tossed 25 excellent sets in the win
Andrie Bakil and Mendoza paced Sta. Rosa with 22 and 19 points, respectively.
