MANILA – D’Navigators-Iloilo moved closer to a podium finish in the 2023 Spikers Turf Open Conference by beating Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography AJAA Spikers, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, in Game 1 of battle-for-third series at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Jade Disquitado exploded with a conference-high of 34 points, including 33 attacks and a service ace, as the D’Navigators-Iloilo a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three bronze medal series.
Deanne De Pedro contributed 12 points on 12 attacks to go along with 14 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs while Rash Nursiddik added 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and an ace for Iloilo.
John Arano steered D’Navigators-Iloilo’s offense with 22 excellent sets while Johnmark Espanso showed the way on the defensive end as he netted 11 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
After dropping the opening set, D’Navigators-Iloilo were engaged in a tight battle with AJAA Spikers in the second frame before surging to a 24-22 advantage via an off-the-block kill by Disquitado.
Ridz Muhali saved a point for Imus-Ivy Tuazon Photography but a block touch challenge in the following play was found unsuccessful which allowed the Ilonggos to tie the game at 1-all.
In the third set, D’Navigators-Iloilo turned a slim 18-17 advantage into a 24-20 spread before Nursiddik connected on a quick hit to close the set and give his squad a 2-1 set lead.
In the fourth set, Iloilo went on a blistering 5-1 run capped by a Paul Bryan Malaiba crosscourt kill to break a 19-all deadlock and take a 24-20 advantage. Mfena Gwaza committed a service error before Disquitado ended the game with an emphatic kill.
“Oo talagang pinaglaban namin kasi syempre sabi ko nga sa kanila, magpapabugbog lang ba kami sa Imus? Hindi kami babawi? Yun yung mindset ko e,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
Ronniel Rosales scored 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and an ace while Hero Austria produced 14 points on 12 attacks to go with eight excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in a losing cause for the AJAA Spikers./PN
