LIPA City – Team Dasmariñas completed a three-match sweep of Pool B with a 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 victory over the Sabong International Spikers (SIS) in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League on Wednesday (Dec. 3) at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.
Madzlan Gampong went 8-of-14 on attacks and had three blocks and a service ace for 12 points to lead the Monarchs to the semifinals.
Team Dasmariñas will battle the Pool A second placer for a spot in the championship match set for Friday afternoon.
Hurdling their first step toward becoming the first-ever men’s Champion League winners, coach Norman Miguel knew that the Monarchs needed to hike their level of play in the knockout stage in the tournament.
“We are happy of course that we ranked No. 1 in our bracket, that’s our short-term goal for this tournament,” said Miguel, whose main concern right now is the fitness of the players. “I think, we have to work on our conditioning. Good thing, we have to rest tomorrow (Thursday (Dec. 2)).”
The veteran presence of Gampong, a former National University standout, was a big boost for the Monarchs in the pool round.
“Madz, ever since from Day 1 here, is consistent for us. He is our go-to guy. We know it and he knows that every well,” Miguel said. “Madz is a big factor for us. I hope he remains fit going to the semis.”
Mark Calado hammered 11 kills while captain Jayvee Sumagaysay had two blocks for a nine-point effort for the Monarchs.
Jelord Talisayan paced SIS with 15 kills while Charles David Absin chipped in 10 points.
SIS fell to 1-2 and its fate of making it to the semifinals will hinge on the result of the final preliminary round match between MRT-Negros and Global Remit on Wednesday afternoon.
In the other game, the VNS Manileño Spikers fashioned out a 25-17, 25-22, 25-23 win over the Basilan Steel Spikers Amin-Anak Mindanao to bag the remaining semifinals berth in Pool A.
VNS, which dropped a five-setter to Go for Gold-Air Force in last Monday’s opener, ended up with an even 1-1 won-lost card while sending Basilan to the classification round after going winless in pool play. [PNVF]
