MANILA, Philippines—In a prelude to the finals, the IEM Phoenix Volley Masters swooped down on the Systema Active Smashers 3-1, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21, during their matchup at the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Men’s Division at the Arena in San Juan.
Down by two points, the Phoenix Volley Masters used a 7-2 blast that ultimately ended the non-bearing match.
IEM head coach Ernesto Balubar said he wanted his team to go for it and enjoy the game but make sure that winning would not be sacrificed.
“My order to my players was that they enjoy the game but winning should not be compromised,” Balubar said.
In a see-saw fourth set which saw the lead change hands numerous times, it looked like Systema could have pulled off a shocker and send the game to the fifth set.
Unfortunately for the second-seeded Systema, attacker Salvador Depante fell down with the scores at 19-17 during the fourth.
Depante sprained his right ankle after he stepped on the foot of Rudy Gatdula on his landing.
Despite the loss of Depante, Balubar did not discount the other attackers of Systema.
“We cannot discount the replacements for Depante; Systema has a very deep bench,” Balubar said.
IEM finished the regular season with a league-leading 5-1 win-loss slate while Systema was at second at 4-2.
Jason Canlas and Jeffrey Jimenez combined for 30 points for IEM with Karl Dela Calzada adding 11.
Angelo Espiritu, Depante and Sylvester Honrade combined for 34 for Systema.
RELATED STORIES
IEM dismantles FEU in three straight sets V-League: RTU edges IEM in five sets