Photo from Spikers’ Turf
MANILA, Philippines—Sta. Rosa finally earned its first win as the trio of Kevin Montemayor, Yoyong Mendoza and Gabriel Magsino overcame gritty Vanguard, 21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 15-11, to end a four-game skid in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday at Paco Arena.
Kevin Montemayor fired 14 attacks to finish with 16 points, joining hands with Magsino and Anrie Bakil in the fifth set to stop their woes after five games to improve to a 1-4 record.
Vanguard, powered by Joven Camaganakan and Razzel Palisoc, displayed grace under pressure in the neck-and-neck fourth set to force a decider only to lose steam in the fifth as it gave up seven of its 37 errors in the crucial frame.
Mendoza and Magsino had 15 points each with the latter providing five of the team’s nine blocks. Bakil chipped in 12 markers, as setter Jerico Adajar made 30 excellent sets.
“We told them that these are moments where the boys are separated from men. They decided to fight because as coaches, we only give instructions, but the credit for this win goes to the players because they held on,” said the City Lions coach Edu Lirio in Filipino.
“I’m proud of them. Our hard work from training has finally paid off. We’re hoping to improve in our next games because this is a new set of players and our team is still young.”
Vanguard absorbed its third straight loss, sliding to a 1-3 card.
Camaganakan and Palisoc led the Volley Hitters with 16 points each as the former also had 14 excellent receptions. Vince Abrot contributed 15 points, while John Diwa added 11.