JAU UMANDAL dished out a superb all-around performance to power the returning AMC-Cotabato to a dominant sweep of National University (NU)-Archipelago Builders, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20, for its fourth straight victory in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena Wednesday.
Umandal dropped 20 points on 16 attacks and four aces as he steered the Cotabato Spikers to joint third with the Iloilo D’Navigators behind the solid Cignal HD Spikers (7-0) and the Imus AJAA Spikers (5-2). He also produced 12 excellent receptions and six excellent digs to cap his stellar play.
Wewe Medina converted 10 attacks for 11 points while Madz Gampong and Rex Intal contributed seven points each for the Cotabato Spikers, who also drew 12 excellent sets from Cian Silang had 12 excellent sets and eight receptions and six digs from libero Vince Lorenzo.
“Malaki yung improvement ng team pero kailangan pa ng konting polishing. Medyo rough pa yung execution namin,” said assistant coach Benjamin Mape.
“We also improved on our blocking at na-minimize yung errors. Yung depensa dapat ma-improve pa para mas maganda yung preparation,” he added.
Jan Abanilla unloaded 11 points, including kills, four blocks and two aces for the defending champion and overhauled NU Volley Hitters, who fell to 0-5. Abanilla also made six excellent digs and five excellent receptions.
Army, meanwhile, marked its 126th founding anniversary with a hard-fought five-set escape over Armed Forces of the Philippines Olympics rival Air Force, 23-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-22, 20-18.
Mark Enciso produced a huge 26-point performance on 24 attacks and two blocks while Benjaylo Labide added 16 markers and 10 excellent digs as the Troopers improved to 3-5 (win-loss) while booting the Airmen out of the semifinals race with a 1-7 slate.
PJ Rojas also stepped up for Army and fired 15 points in the grueling two-hour, 20-minute match.
The Airmen actually moved to match point first at 14-13 on a Rojas’ missed crosscourt attack. But the Troopers challenged the call on a block touch and proved successful, thus forcing a tie instead.
They kept it tied at 18 before Jessie Lopez and Nino Jeruz committed consecutive net violations that enabled the Troopers to steal the win.
“Sabi ko sa kanila kailangan nilang tibayan lalo na sabi ko, regalo na nila sa Army kasi yung pride pa rin ng Army, ‘di ba? Anniversary pa namin sakto, ng Army, 126th anniversary namin,” said Army coach Melvin Carolino.
“Yung effort nila, kapag hindi sila nag-trabaho nang maayos, hindi sila nag-receive, hindi sila nag-blockings, ‘di talaga kami mananalo. Buti maganda yung pinakita nung fifth set,” he added.
It was a tough climb for the Troopers, who lost the first and third sets but snatched the second frame and hung tough in the fourth before out-steadying the Airmen in the marathon decider.
Rodolfo Labrador and Edwin Tolentino paced the Airmen, who suffered their fifth straight loss, with 26 and 25 points, respectively.