PERFECTION; PLDT AIR FORCE CAPS OFF DOMINANT RUN WITH SECOND CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP

PLDT Air Force Home TVolution Power Attackers defeated Cignal HD Spikers in straight sets, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21, to take their second consecutive championship in the men’s division of the Philippine Superliga at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Saturday night. 

PLDT showed consistency for the most part of the opening canto and held on to a comfortable six point lead. There was a moment of concern for the Power Attackers as Cignal HD managed to pull within two courtesy of Howard Mojica’s scoring attack. Coming off a timeout, PLDT regained their composure, and Alnakran Abdilla’s back-to-back hits, including a facial on Cignal HD’s Dexter Clamor made it 24-21 in favor of the Power Attckers. Howard Mojica tried to keep it going for the HD Spikers but his drop off attack was wide to the right as PLDT Air Force took set number one, 25-21.

It was a close affair to open the second period until PLDT’s duo of Alnakran Abdilla and Dante Alinsunurin came to life to give their squad a 20-17 lead. Jeffrey Malabanan also contributed on both the offensive and defensive ends, nailing down back-to-back points off a quick attack and a block to make it 24-21 in favor of the Power Attackers. Ron Jay Galang hammered one down through the Cignal HD defense as PLDT took set number two, 25-21. 

Up two sets to none, PLDT would not let up after starting the third frame on a 5-2 run. The Power Attackers’ all around play was on full display, and the opposition was left reeling. Cignal HD’s series of errors certainly didn’t help their cause and PLDT would lead by as much as nine. Finally, Jeffrey Malabanan finished things off for the Power Attackers with a drop down the sideline for set, match, and championship, 25-21.

It was a dominant run for PLDT Air Force, flying by everyone who stands in their way en route to an undefeated season punctuated by winning their second straight title.

Alnakran Abdilla led the PLDT attack with 15 kills, two blocks, and a service ace.

Jay dela Cruz was the top performer for Cignal HD with eight kills and two blocks.

Source: Solar Entertainment Corp

Author: Nico Beato

Date Posted: Saturday, Juiy 26, 2014

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CIGNAL HD BREEZES PAST IEM; SETS UP FINALS SHOWDOWN WITH PLDT AIR FORCE

Cignal HD Spikers defeated Instituto Estetico Manila in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 in men’s division action of the 2014 Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference Wednesday afternoon at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

After a close game in the early goings, Cingal HD, behind Mike Abria slowly started to find their groove and keep their distance from IEM. Adam Daquer also stepped it up defensively for the HD Spikers, whose block helped Cignal reach set point. Howard Mojica put it away with a spike on the other side as the HD Spikers won set number one convincingly, 25-18.

Cignal HD managed to start strong during set number two; leading by as much as five heading in the latter stages, but IEM rallied and momentarily grabbed the lead, 22-21 courtesy of Billy Conde’s attack. However, the Phoenix Volley Masters failed to capitalize when Alexis Faytaren committed a service error that tied the game at 22 apiece. Holding a slim 23-22 lead, Cignal HD’s Adam Daquer then went to work, both offensively and defensively; scoring the last two points of the set which included a smashing spike right down the middle and an excellent stop on IEM’s attack attempt, as the  HD Spikers managed to eke out a 25-22 set number two win.

Looking to put the game away, the HD Spikers pounced on their opponents, establishing a 21-14 lead.  IEM made things interesting when they scored three straight points capped off by an Alexis Faytaren service ace, but Cignal HD managed to keep the Phoenix Volley Masters in check, capitalizing on the latter’s mistakes and utilizing on their rock-solid defense anchored by Adam Daquer. Howard Mojica delivered the final blow for his squad with a spike off a block, giving Cignal HD the game-clinching set win, 25-21.

Adam Daquer was named as the best player of the ball game with 12 points, seven of which coming from blocks as his defensive presence behind the net proved to be the decisive factor in Cignal HD’s victory. It will certainly be a huge boost for their confidence when they go up against the number one ranked PLDT Air Force in the championship game on Saturday.

Karl Ian dela Calzada had 12 points for the Phoenix Volley Masters, who finish the tournament with a 3-5 win loss record.

Author: Nico Beato

Source: Solar Entertainment Corporation

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PETRON BEACH VOLLEY RESET FOR NEXT WEEK

DAMAGED facilities at the sand-courts of the De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute in Dasmarinas, Cavite, caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda, have forced organizers to cancel today’s staging of the third leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Tisha Abundo of the organizing committee said strong winds and scattered debris have ruined the facilities inside the campus.

“The whole campus is affected, there is water in the track oval and in the sand-courts. We will have to hold it on another date, most likely next week” said Abundo.

The event will feature two collegiate standouts, who are coming back to seek the top honors. They are San Beda’s Debbie Dultra, who will make her presence felt with new partner Carmina Rebolledo, and Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas’ Alyanna Marie Gorospe, who will into action with another teammate, Alicia Adolfo.

Other entries include La Salle-Dasmariñas-alumni Rosebeige Mendoza and Shiela Mae Nanquil, San Beda-2’s Shannen Limn and Camille de la Pena, Emilio Aguinaldo College-1’s Charmille Belleza and Clara Camille Lozada.

Also taking part are EAC-2’s Yvonne Reyes and Arnie Yumul, Far Eastern University-1’s Bernadeth Pons and Charm Simborio, FEU-2’ Rizalie Amaro and Kyla Atienza, Letran-1’s Jan Carreon and Kathleen Barrinuevo, and Letran’s Ethel Evangelista and Mikaela Lopez.

Source: MST Sports, Manila Standard Today

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ALL EYES ON 2 STANDOUTS IN PETRON VOLLEY

TWO collegiate standouts are coming back to seek out the top honors in  the third leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball tournament, which  kicks off Friday at the sand-courts of the De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

San Beda College’s Debbie Dultra and new partner Carmina Rebolledo, and the tandem of Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas’ Alyanna Marie Gorospe and Alicia Adolfo are expected to make their presence felt in the beach volley extravaganza, now on its 12th year.

 

 

Dultra, who reached the semifinals of a recent collegiate tournament with Mona Diolazo, said the spikefest will provide her and Rebolledo the opportunity to use the new techniques she learned this year.

Gorospe, who played in the first leg at the Anguib beach in Cagayan early this year, said her exposure to stronger players has made her game quite better.

“Nu’ng una kong laro, hindi ko gamay ang laro sa buhangin. Now, I’m in fourth year, marami na akong natutunan, sa movement at sa footwork,” said Dultra during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

For Gorospe, she hopes to get a feel of the game while taking on younger participants in this spikefest supported by Mikasa Balls and DLS-Health Sciences Institute.

“I did not expect to face professional and strong players in Cagayan. I hope to win games this time around,” stated Gorospe. Organizer Tisha Abundo, who graced the weekly forum with DLS-HSI’s Karla Jay Soriano and Sarah Aldana,  said they are privileged to have players who are not only playing for their schools, but former student athletes who are on the comeback trail.

“I’m happy to note that this is not merely a school tournament,  it also involves women who are returning to the sport even after they have graduated from college,” observed Abundo.

Other entries include La Salle-Dasmarinas-alumni Rosebeige Mendoza and Shiela Mae Nanquil, San Beda-2’s Shannen Limn and Camille de la Pena, Emilio Aguinaldo College-1’s Charmille Belleza and Clara Camille Lozada.

Also in the fray are EAC-2’s Yvonne Reyes and Arnie Yumul, Far Eastern University-1’s Bernadeth Pons and Charm Simborio, FEU-2’ Rizalie Amaro and Kyla Atienza, Letran-1’s Jan Carreon and Kathleen Barrinuevo, and Letran’s Ethel Evangelista and Mikaela Lopez.

Source: Jeric Lopez, Manila Standard Today 
Photo: Sonny Espiritu

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