The D’Navigators charged back with a vengeful 25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 25-23 victory over PGJC-Navy to stay in the hunt for the bronze in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Friday but their fate remained tied to the finals series being played at presstime at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Seeking redemption from their previous four-set loss to the Sealions in the playoff opener, the D’Navigators’ hopes now hinge on the outcome of Game 2 between Cignal and Criss Cross, where the HD Spikers are aiming for a sweep.
Navy holds the upper hand in the next tiebreaker, boasting a points ratio of 1.050 against the D’Navigators’ 0.953. The latter pins its aspirations on the King Crunchers’ reversal over the HD Spikers to force the decisive Game 3 showdowns in both series.
“Actually yung gusto naming mangyari nakuha namin kasi maganda ang ipinerform ng team,” said D’Navigators head coach Boyet Delmoro.
Despite the Sealions’ big bounce-back win in the third frame, the D’Navigators kept their composure, controlling the fourth frame, 19-12, and staving off their opponents’ late surge.
Joeven Dela Vega and Marvin Villanueva rallied the Sealions to within, 20-23, but Edward Camposano’s crosscourt hit secured match point for the D’Navigators.
Though Dela Vega and Greg Dolor rallied for three consecutive points. Camposano’s final decisive strike pierced through the Sealions’ defense, clinching the set and the match in two hours and 11 minutes
“Worth it po kasi nung third set gusto talaga namin kunin, medyo nagrelax po talaga kami. Yung will lang po talaga naming manalo yung pinakita namin,” said Camposano, who scored 16 points and finished with 14 excellent receptions and six digs.
Arvin Estomata, who didn’t see action in Game 1, stepped up big-time for the D’Navigators, scoring 20 points on 17 attacks, two aces, and a kill block.
Kim Dayandante orchestrated the team’s offense with 19 excellent sets while Jayvee Sumagaysay and Toto De Pedro added eight points apiece.
Dela Vega notched 28 points on 22 spikes, four blocks, and two aces for the Sealions.
