Sealions beat Titans in Spikers Turf
2024-Oct-26 17:00
LIGHT TAP. PGJC Navy opposite hitter Marvin Villanueva (No. 1) dinks the ball during the game against Chichi DHTSI in the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Friday (Oct. 25, 2024). The Sealions won, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15. (PNA/PVL)
MANILA – PGJC Navy kicked off its campaign in the 2024 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference with a 25-20, 25-17, 25-15 victory over Chichi DHTSI at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Friday.
Marvin Villanueva delivered a game-high 19 points on 14-of-23 in spikes. The 5-foot-11 opposite hitter also had three service aces and two blocks.
"Practice pays off. He's good during practice. I told him to just keep going, don't be pressured," said new Sealions head coach Mike Santos after the match.
"It was almost two weeks off from the AFP Olympics, so it was obvious in the first set that we were still rusty. But we finished well, we finished strong," he added.
Greg Dolor, the 2024 Open Conference Best Outside Spiker, led a 5-0 run as the Sealions took the first set in 25 minutes.
PGJC sustained its momentum in the next two sets to wrap up the match in one hour and 16 minutes.
Dolor had nine attacks to finish with 12 points, while 2024 Open Conference Best Middle Blocker Peter Quiel chipped in 11 points, including three blocks and one ace.
Marvin Hairami made 14 excellent sets, while libero Jeremy Santos had 12 excellent receptions and nine digs.
PGJC Navy will be up against undefeated Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the same venue.
Rafael Del Pilar scored four of his six points on blocks for the Titans, who absorbed their fourth straight loss.
Chichi DHTSI will face De La Salle-EcoOil at the Philsports Arena on November 3. (PNA)