Santa Rosa Lions secured a thrilling victory over Philippine Army in the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference. In a nail-biting five-set match, the Lions triumphed with a scoreline of 27-25, 23-25, 21-25, 26-24, 15-8 at Paco Arena.
Yoyong Mendoza played a crucial role for the Lions with 20 points, 11 excellent receptions, and eight digs, while Axel Book made a significant contribution with 15 points, including four blocks and 16 receptions.
Middle blockers Anrie Bakil and Gabriel Magsino each scored 13 points, while Kevin Montemayor added 11 points off the bench.
Santa Rosa head coach Edu Lirio praised his team's performance, stating that the players showed great heart and gradually learned their specific roles. The game was finely poised, and it was the clutch hits of Book and Mendoza in the fourth set that forced a decider.
The Lions took control in the fifth set, racing to a 9-3 lead, with Bakil, Montemayor, and Magsino making the difference, aided by some errors from the Army. The victory takes the Lions to seventh place in the tournament with a record of 2-4, just behind the Troopers, who have a 2-3 record.
PJ Rojas led the Army's charge with 20 points, while Kevin Liberato and Mark Enciso contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.
