LIPA CITY – Team Dasmariñas used its solid net defense to beat Global Remit, 23-25, 25-18, 27-29, 25-18, 15-12 for a winning start in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League men’s tournament on Monday (Nov. 29) at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.
The Monarchs tallied 16 blocks, with skipper Jayvee Sumagaysay accounting for five, which keyed their first victory in Pool B.
The thrilling two-hour, 26-minute match capped a fantastic opening day action, where Go for Gold-Air Force and MRT-Negros also needed five sets to prevail.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Monarchs turned to Sumagaysay to frustrate Global Remit, which squandered a 2-1 set lead.
The Monarchs joined MRT-Negros for the lead in their four-team pool. The two squads will face off at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Ranged against a club that has several members from the national team pool led by Joeven Dela Vega, Ish Polvorosa, and lJack Kalingking, coach Norman Miguel knows the urgency of the Monarchs to pull this one off.
“From the start we know that we will go through the eye of the needle because we are bracketed with a team which has elite players, national team players,” Miguel said.
“Our initial goal is to win the first game. Right now, we will work hard to win more matches to make it to the Final Four,” he added.
Young gun Mark Calado also shone for the Monarchs with 24 points built on 20 attacks and four blocks.
“I’m overwhelmed and very thankful for having big brothers with my team,” Calado, who at 21 is the youngest Monarch in the roster, said.
Madzlan Gampong added 23 points and collected eight digs, while Wewe Medina and Ronniel Rosales each had 10 points for the Monarchs.
Dela Vega led Global Remit with 24 points while Josh Villanueva and Joshua Zareno scored 12 points apiece.
Global Remit will play Sabong International Spikers at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, in a match that has a lot of implications for the second semis berth in Pool B in the tournament. (PNVF) – bny
