Spikers’ Turf: Joeven Dela Vega, Navy get boost ahead of semis

Joeven Dela Vega.–SPIKERS’ TURF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Joeven Dela Vega steadied the ship for the semis-bound PGJC-Navy heading into the semifinals of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

Dela Vega provided the clutch points to lift his team in a thrilling five-set match, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-10, win over fellow semifinals-bound D’Navigators Iloilo at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Sunday.

He tallied 19 points as Navy improved to 6-2 at the end of preliminaries.

READ: Spikers’ Turf: Cignal completes elimination round sweep

For his timely offense, scoring eight of his markers in the deciding fifth set, Dela Vega snared the Spikers’ Turf Player of the Week citation for the period of April 24 to 28.

Though already qualified in the semis, Dela Vega underscored the importance of the win in building their confidence for the next round – especially as they face the D’Navigators anew in the round-robin Final Four.

They play again on May 5.

“Syempre sobrang importante nito kasi na-boost yung morale namin as a team, kasi makakalaban din namin sila (D’Navigators) sa semis so parang pondo na rin para sa amin,” said Dela Vega.

Despite his performance built off of 16 attacks, two aces, and one block, Dela Vega said he still has a lot to improve on heading into the next round of the league streamed live on www.spikersturf.ph and Pilipinas Live.

“Yung floor defense saka mindset gusto ko pang ma-improve talaga para sa semis handa na ako,’ he said.

The PGJC-Navy hitter drew nine votes among the scribes covering the league organized by Sports Vision, squeaking past Manuel Sumanguid of the Criss Cross King Crunchers who had seven votes.

Also among the nominees were Cignal’s Mark Calado, Navy’s Peter Quiel, Criss Cross’ Jude Garcia, Bryan Jaleco of Air Force, and Francis Saura of the D’Navigators.

Dela Vega and his crew return to action against defending champions Cignal HD Spikers in their first game of the semis beginning Wednesday, May 1, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum.