IEM asserts Shakey’s mastery over Systema

RENZ Ordonez of IEM fumbles a toss off Salvador Depante of Systema in yesterday’s Shakey’s V-League men’s encounter at Filoil Flying V Arena. The Volley Masters prevailed to take their place at the top. photo AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Instituto Estetico Manila kept its fiery form in dumping Systema Tooth and Gum Care, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21, last night to emerge as the top seed heading into the Shakey’s V League Third Conference men’s finals at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Relentless right from the start, the Volley Masters fashioned out a repeat win over the Active Smashers behind Jason Canlas and Jeff Jimenez.

The Volley Masters ended the two-round elimination with a 5-1 card while the Active Smashers settled for 4-2. The two teams will still square off in the best-of-three finals starting Sunday.

Refusing to pull their punches, the Volley Masters survived a tough challenge in the last two sets to win in an hour and 47 minutes.

Canlas pumped in 16 points, including 13 off smashes while Jimenez tallied 14 hits as the Volley Masters snapped the Active Smashers’ four-match winning streak.

It was a tight battle at every category except on attack points where the Volley Masters registered a 54-47 advantage.

Carlo Almario anchored IEM’s solid floor defense with 14 excellent digs and 16 receptions that proved crucial in setting up the Volley Masters’ fluid attack.

Karl dela Calzada and Rudy Gatdula combined for 17 points for the Volley Masters who drew 15 excellent sets from Reyvic Cirelles. Michael Ian Conde shone with eight points in just two sets.

Systema’s Angelo Espiritu, Sylvester Honrade and Salvador Depante combined for 34 points.

But the Active Smashers could miss Depante, who had 11 points including two blocks, in the finals after he sustained an ankle injury in the fourth set.