MANILA – D’Navigators-Iloilo sustained its fine start in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference via a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 straight-set romp of National University-Archipelago Builders Volley Builders on Sunday night at the Paco Arena.
Jade Disquitado spearheaded the offense with 16 points, built on 14 attacks, one block and a service ace, while Deanne De Pedro and Jerome Cordez added nine apiece for the Iloilo City-based squad.
John Michael Apolinario also showed up with 22 excellent sets to steer the offense of the D’Navigators-Iloilo, which moved up to a tie in first place with Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography with 2-0 slate.
“Una sa lahat happy kami kasi two straight wins so sabi ko sa mga players ko basta stick lang kami sa game plan namin,” said D’Navigators-Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
“So ni-review naman namin yung laro nila (Volley Builders) kaya sabi ko gawin lang namin yung ginawa namin sa training, kung ano yung pinaghandaan namin and good result naman,” he added.
Mac Arvin Bandola top-scored for the Volley Builders with eight points while Jan Abanilla, Rwenzmel Taguibolos, Joseph Bello chipped in six points each in their second straight loss.
D’Navigators-Iloilo, which ruled the 2023 Dinagyang Festival Volleyball League men’s open category, will hope to continue their fine start in the tournament against VNS on February 5.
In the first game, Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography AJAA Spikers scored its second consecutive win after dominating Philippine Air Force Airmen in straight sets, 25-16, 25-16, 25-13.
Louie Ramirez top-scored for the AJAA Spikers with 16 points on 13 attacks and three aces while Hero Austria added 13 points along with eight excellent receptions and six excellent digs.
Kim Malabunga added seven points with three blocks while Ronniel Rosales and Josh Villanueva added six and four markers, respectively, in the lopsided victory./PN
