MANILA – Christian Marcelino made his presence felt when it mattered the most to lead MRT-Negros to a winning start in the PNVF Champions League men’s tournament on Monday at the Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa, Batangas.
The Hinigaran City, Negros Occidental native had three of his 16 points in the crucial stretch of the fifth set. MRT-Negros pulled off a 25-22, 25-16, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12 victory over Sabong International Spikers.
Trailing 7-11 midway in the fifth and deciding set, Marcelino spearheaded MRT-Negros’ 7-0 scoring blast with consecutive hits as they reached the match point at 14-11.
Sabong International, however, saved a match points at 12-14 on an attack point but Jet Nonoy clinched the victory for MRT-Negros with a powerful hit.
Apart from his 14 attacks, one block and one service ace, the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod standout Marcelino also tallied 11 excellent digs in the victory.
Jian Matthew Salarzon top-scored for MRT-Negros with 18 markers, including five blocks. Nonoy had double-double 12 points and 11 excellent digs, while Leo Ordiales chipped in 11 points.
Charles David Absin led the way for the Negros Oriental-based Spikers with 15 points, while Mark James Rocamora and Ramil de la Cruz had 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
In the first game, Go for Gold-Air Force found the VNS Manileño Spikers a tough nut to crack before carving out a 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 15-11 victory.
With the Manileño Spikers closing in a 11-13, Kim Malabunga’s kill put the Aguilas at match point before Mark Alfafara closed out the match for Air Force with a block on Roniey Adviento.
Alfafara had five blocks overall to finish with 19 points to go with nine digs while Malabunga and John Vic de Guzman each had 16 points for Go for Gold./PN
