Sta. Elena keeps PLDT winless in testy Spikers’ Turf match

Sta. Elena made good in a testy game and nipped powerhouse PLDT Home Ultera, 25-22, 25-21, 14-25, 29-27 in the elimination stages of the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference Saturday at San Juan Arena.

The Wrecking Balls, who improved to 1-1, questioned some of the referee’s calls in a match that almost last two hours.

Rocky Honrade, who sealed the win with an emphatic block on Henry Pecaña, got into an argument with the referee who ruled Ron Jay’s attack as a point instead of what Sta. Elena thought was an error.

The Wrecking Balls head coach Arnold Laniog also blasted the second referee for a delayed a call in the crucial stages.

The referee called an allowable move for a Libero as a violation when an overhead set from Wrecking Balls libero Carlo Lozada made it beyond the attack line.

“That was a crucial part of the game and the second referee just stood there [for a few seconds] before making a call to the first referee,” Laniog said.

In the midst of the heated game, substitute Christian Arbasto found the composure to give Sta. Elena the 28-27 match point.

Laniog added he’s not giving disrespect to the referees but a semi-professional volleyball league could use younger referees who can detect even the minute details during the game.

“Nothing against them but the league could get younger referees who can still see finer points despite the speed of the game,” Laniog said.

Arjay Onia led Sta. Elena with 17 points while Myco Antonio added 12.

Mark Alfafara led PLDT, which remained winless at 0-2, with 17 points while JP Torres and Galang had 13 and 11 points, respectively.