PVL men’s: Army escapes IEM in final game
Army outmuscled Instituto Estetico, 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-27, 16-14, to conclude its campaign in Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on a high note Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Troopers capped their quarterfinals stint at 1-2 while the Volley Masters bowed out winless after three games. Both are eliminated from semifinals contention as PLDT and Air Force grabbed the two remaining spots.
Trailing 5-12 in the fifth frame, Army unloaded a blistering 11-2 run followed by an attack error from Eden Canlas to seal win.
“My players got complacent in the third and fourth set. They relaxed and got unfocused but overall I’m happy we won our last game because my team is really an underdog but I always tell them to give their all in the game,” said Army head coach Rico de Guzman in Filipino.
Tied at 25 in the fourth set, the Volley Masters forced a decider via Canlas’ off-the-block kill and an attack error from Army.
Patrick Rojas had a game-high 16 points to lead the Troopers while Benjaylo Labide added 15 markers.
Gregorio Dolor had 14 points for the Volley Masters. Ma. Angelica D. Garcia
