By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The D’Navigators-Iloilo volleyball team selection successfully extended its undefeated streak in the ongoing Spikers’ Turf Open Conference tournament after escaping the PGCJ-Navy in five grueling sets, 28-26, 25-21, 20-25, 15-25, 15-11, last March 1, 2023, held at the Paco Arena.
After taking the first two sets, D’Navigators was poised for another sweeping 3-0 victory but the veteran Navy team displayed nerves of steel and changed the entire complexion of the match when they countered by taking the third and the fourth.
Navy took it one step at a time and started by tightening up their floor defense and middle blocking that went flat when Iloilo cruised to a 2-0 lead.
Just when the Navy started to take full control of the match heading into the deciding set, Iloilo’s superstar Jade Disquitado answered the call for D’Navigators and provided the much-needed offense.
Disquitado’s heroics then sparked Iloilo once again and replicated its fluid play just like the first two sets.
However, the Navy’s experience rose to the occasion and was able to take a one-point lead against Iloilo off two well-executed cross-court spike kills.
Needing someone to fuel Iloilo’s hopes, Deanne De Pedro backstopped Disquitado who spearheaded D’Navigators’ jaw-dropping 4-0 run that ended the explosive contest.
Disquitado led Iloilo once again after dropping 21 big points while Mfena Gwaza and Jerome Cordez combined for 27 markers.
“Sabi ko ibalik lang nila yung intensity nila kasi nung third set and fourth set wala e. Masyadong relaxed, complacent sila, so sabi ko kung gusto nilang manalo, kailangan mag-trabaho sila kasi kung gustong manalo, dapat paghirapan,” said Iloilo head coach John Kenneth Panes.
D’Navigators will have the chance to push their unbeaten winning streak to six-straight matches when they square off against Sta. Rosa today.
