MANILA – D’Navigators-Iloilo fell short of advancing to the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference finals after a 25-23, 11-25, 25-20, 25-15 loss to Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography AJAA Spikers on Monday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Actually, even after their loss to the AJAA Spikers, D’Navigators-Iloilo were still hanging to a slim hope of advancing to the championship round with its 1-2 win-loss record in the single round robin semifinals.
However, the Iloilo City-based volleyball squad’s hopes were dashed following Cignal HD Spikers’ 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 victory over Cotabato Spikers in the other semis game.
D’Navigators-Iloilo failed to keep in step with the AJAA Spikers in the first set as they suffered a close 25-23 defeat but bounced back with a massive 25-11 victory in the second frame.
The AJAA Spikers regained their momentum and capitalized on their opponent’s errors to gain a 2-1 advantage with a score of 25-20. Imus then dominated the fourth set and won convincingly with a score of 25-15.
Hero Austria spearheaded the offense for the AJAA Spikers with 17 points, on 12 attacks, four blocks, and a service ace, while completing his triple-double with 20 excellent receptions and seven digs.
Middle blockers Ronniel Rosales and Kim Malabunga also contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, while libero Rikko Marmeto made 15 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
Imus-ITP head coach Sammy Acaylar said he was happy that they beat Iloilo but also saddened at the same time as they were not able to reach the finals as they did not win over the Ilonggos in straight sets.
“Masaya pero on second thought, malungkot because pinaghandaan din namin yung mga ibang kalaban namin pero masaya ako kasi nanalo naman kami ngayon, one of the best teams yung Iloilo tapos tinalo namin,” Acaylar said.
Jade Disquitado finished with 30 points to lead the way for the D’Navigators-Iloilo, which is hoping to salvage a bronze medal against the AJAA Spikers in their best-of-three battle for bronze medal./PN
