Spikers Turf: Young Sta. Rosa stuns Army in five sets

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Sta. Rosa City Lions on Spikers’ Turf. – PVL PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Sta. Rosa pulled the rug out from a veteran Army team, 27-25, 23-25, 21-25, 26-24, 15-8, to win its second straight at the 2023 Turf Spikers’ Open Conference on Friday at Paco Arena. .

The City Lions rallied from a 1-2 game deficit and a 22-23 deficit in the fourth thanks to a Kevin Montemayor layup and Gab Magsino’s clutch block on Jaylo Labide to set up set point, 24-23, before Mark Enciso forced a deuce.

Axel Van Book changed playing combinations to bring back Sta. Rosa at match point, 25-24, followed by Yoyong Mendoza’s attack which was initially called out but coach Edu Lirio’s video challenge proved the ball had entered the line to force the decider.

Book and Montemayor to Sta. Rosa started 7-2 in the fifth set. The army made some timely hits but the young opponent was in complete control as Anrie Bakil trained the attack run to reach the match point, 14-7, and nailed the match-clinching quick attack.

“These young players play with heart. They work together and even the bench players cheer up,” said Lirio as Sta. Rosa improved his record to 2-4.

“These five-setters are building maturity. It will be a great help for them to think clearly in making decisions when it comes to an important part of the future game,” he said.

Mendoza led the City Lions’ collective effort with 20 points, 11 impressive receptions, and eight digs, while Book chipped in with 15 points and 16 receptions.

Setter Jerico Adajar made 27 impressive sets, as Bakil and Magsino each had 13 points, while Montemayor added 11 markers.

Armu dropped to 2-3 with PJ Rojas leading the way with 20 points and a combined 43 points from Kevin Liberato, Enciso, and Labide.

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