PGJC Navy joined Cignal at fourth place with a hard-fought 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, 25-19 win over the slumping D-Navigators Iloilo in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference preliminaries at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday night.
Despite a third-set slip, the Sealions, led by Toto dela Vega with 20 points, regrouped for a crucial surge midway through the fourth set to seal the one-hour and 45-minute victory.
Dela Vega cited communication lapses and shaky reception as causes for their third-set struggles, saying in Filipino, “We lacked service reception, leading to several errors. Communication was also lost at times.”
Still, he remained optimistic about the team’s chemistry building up as the tournament progresses.
“We adjusted and enjoyed the game in the fourth set,” said dela Vega, adding that team chemistry is a work in progress. “It’s still a long way to go, but we hope to improve every game.”
JB San Andres made a last-minute effort for D’Navigators with a drop shot to save a match point, but skipper Kim Dayandante’s serve into the net sealed the Sealions’ victory, marking a win-loss-win streak across their first three straight playdates.
The Sealions thus tied the HD Spikers in fourth place, trailing the undefeated Savage Spin Doctors and the DN Steel FEU Ultras, both holding 3-0 records, as well as the Criss Cross King Crushers, who won their first two games.
Meanwhile, the D’Navigators suffered their third consecutive loss, following a five-set win over the Chichi DHTSI Titans. They currently sit in eighth place in the 10-team standings.
Greg Dolor backed Dela Vega’s strong showing with 14 points, while Peter Quiel, Omar Lioc, and Nilo Jasmin contributed nine, seven and six points, respectively.
Dela Vega also added 11 excellent digs, with Dolor pitching in four, and Jeremy Santos recorded 12 excellent receptions.
The D’Navigators matched the Sealions’ output with 47 attack points and nine blocks, but the Sealions had the edge in serves, delivering eight aces – six more than their rivals.
Despite capitalizing on 30 points from D’Navigators’ unforced errors, the Sealions gave up 24 points of their own in similar mistakes.
San Andres led the D’Navigators with 15 points, while Madz Gampong contributed 10, and Jayvee Sumagaysay and Edward Camposano added nine points each.
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