PGJC-Navy essayed a big 20-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Cignal spiking its stunning reversal by battling back from eight down in the fourth, Tuesday at Paco Arena.
EJ Casana, whose steady hands from the service line powered the comeback, delivered 18 excellent sets laced with five points to help the Sealions move up to 3-1 and tie the HD Spikers (3-1) at the second spot, further boosting VNS, Santa Rosa and Ateneo’s chances for a crack at the last semis berth.
Ronniel Rosales shattered a 23-all count with a kill on the run then Joshua Umandal slammed one in against two Cignal defenders, capping the Sealions amazing rebound from 12-20 down that stalled their victims’ march to the semis.
“Masayang masaya ako kasi nagawa nila ‘tong i-panalo kahit nahirapan kami nung first set,”said PGJC-Navy head coach Cecil Cruzada. “Ang galing nila kasi nag-adjust sila agad tapos nagtutulungan sila sa loob ng court kaya gumanda yung laro nila.”
Umandal finished with a top-scoring 18-point binge while Christian Martelino came away with 14 hits and Peter Quiel and Greg Dolor backed him up with 11 and 10 points, respectively, and Rosales chipped in eight points.
Marck Espejo presided over Cignal’s big fourth-set assault but failed to draw the needed backup as he finished with 17 points, the last forcing a tie at 23 which Rosales broke with a running attack.
