Sports

Spikers’ Turf: Army comes back to outlast Navy


Army Spikers' Turf

Army soldiers. Photo from Spikers’ Turf

MANILA, Philippines – The Army relied on a trio of Patrick Rojas, Jaylo Labide and Kevin Liberato to win from behind 25-23, 19-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12 against PGJC -Navy in the League Spikers’ Turf 2023 expansion on Sunday at Paco Arena.

The soldiers were on the verge of losing the game on opening night as the Sea Lions took a 2-1 lead and led 21-19 in the fourth set. But Labide refused to give up and when he pushed Army at the appointed time, 24-22, before Antonio Torres closed the door before Greg Dolor’s attack to force a decision.

With momentum on their side, Army led the fifth set 9-5 before Christian Marcelino and Marvin Villanueva cut the score to a one-point game, 9-8.

But Liberato stopped the bleeding by nailing Jayvee Tabuclao of the Navy in the face. From there, the Army retreated as Labide advanced his formation on match point, 14–11, before Dolor saved a point but committed a costly serve error, the error was so strong that the Army easily completed it. turned the tide in a two-hour battle of the armies.

Rojas led the way for Army with 19 points. Labide scored 17 points, while Liberato finished with 16 points, including four blocks.

Torres and Jaidal Abdulmajid each added eight points when the Army joined the opening day winner, Imus, who took down Sta. Rosa in four sets in the first game.

Army coach Melvin Carolino was pleased with how his wards crawled back while committing 43 fouls in the game.

“Our team found the rhythm as the game went on. Caroline speaks in Filipino. “This win is a huge boost to our morale. It’s a good start for us and that means our morale can go higher.”

Marcelino leads the Sea Lions with 17 points and an excellent eight receptions, while Dolor and Villanueva each have 15 points as last year’s third-placed losers lost their first game without Jau Umandal, who moved to AMC, and other key players.

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