MANILA – D’Navigators-Iloilo recovered from a set down to beat VNS Griffins, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23, in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday night at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Skipper Jerome Cordez flashed awesome power. He unloaded 16 kills for a 17-point output as the D’Navigators-Iloilo stayed on top of the standings with a perfect 3-0 win-loss slate.
Middle blockers Naz Gwaza and Rashh Nursiddik also stepped up with 14 and 10 points, respectively, while Jade Disquitado and Neil De Pedro also shone with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
“Yung determination (to win) talagang nandiyan eh. Sabi ko maglaro lang kayo nang maayos, gawin niyo lang ‘yung part niyo para kung ano man ‘yung result, wala tayong pagsisisihan,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
D’Navigators-Iloilo recovered from a close first set setback with a dominating win in the next behind the exploits of Cordez, Gwaza and Nursiddik for a 1-1 set score.
In the third set, the Ilonggos shattered a 21-all count and took four of the next five points, then clinched the tightly-fought fourth set on VNS’ back-to-back service miscues.
Pemie Bagalay put the Griffins back within one in the fourth with a through-the-block hit before VNS subbed out Russel Fronda for Edward Andrada, who however proved cold and served long.
Prior to this win, D’Navigators-Iloilo scored straight set victories over Philippine Air Force Airmen and National University Bulldogs Volley Builderz.
Fronda led VNS with 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks, Ron Medalla added 14 points on 12 spikes and two aces while Bagalay finished with 11 markers for the Griffins, who dropped to 1-2.
D’Navigators-Iloilo will have a one week break before returning to action on February 12, Sunday, against Philippine Army as they hope to continue their unbeaten run./PN
