PGJC-Navy swept Santa Rosa, 25-13, 25-16, 25-21, to become the first team to advance to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League men’ semifinals Friday at the Philsports Arena.
“It’s all about teamwork and communication,” said Christian Marcelino, who led the Sea Lions with 14 kills. “Confidence can play a big role really for a team. I’m very thankful for my teammates because they do their roles as well as our coaches.”
Greg Dolor and Joeven dela Vega each scored 13 points for PGJC-Navy.
Coach Cecille Cruzada is satisfied the way the Sea Lions are performing, as they picked up where they left off in sweeping Pool A of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, PLDT, Philippine Olympic Committee, Cignal HD, One Sports, Cignal Play, F2 Logistics and Amigo Entertainment.
“So far, we are peaking,” said Cruzada, who steered the military-based team to a third place finish in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference recently. “During training, we worked overtime for our service receive and they performed well. They were doing hard service, our first ball is okay and so they performed well.”
Extending its perfect run to five matches, PGJC-Navy will face North Cotabato, a 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 win over Army Taguig City, for a place in Sunday’s finals at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
“We will give them a good fight,” said G-Spikers coach Odjie Mamon on their semis duel with the Sea Lions. “We have reached this far by these players working hard.”
John Vic de Guzman and Jao Umandal produced 14 points apiece while Kim Malabunga had 13 points for North Cotabato.
Mark Enciso, meanwhile, scored 10 points for the Troopers.
Playing for the two remaining semis berths as of press time are Pool B No. 1 National University-Pasay City and Imus City, and Pool C’s topnotcher Bacolod City and Cignal.
Jade Disquitado had nine points to lead the Lions, one of the two best-third placed teams in the pool round.
Mark Enciso, meanwhile, scored 10 points for the Troopers.
The women’s semifinals is set today, with Pool B winners CPS-Antipolo City taking on Pool A second placers Imus City at 3 p.m., right after Pool A topnotcher Quezon City and Pool B No. 2 UE Manila take the floor at 1 p.m.
In the final day of pool play Thursday night, Casiey Dongallo dropped 11 of her 21 points in the first set while Jelai Gajero added 19 points, including three blocks, as the CAL Babies completed a three-match sweep of their pool with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-14 romp of Davao.
Ja Lana and KC Cepada each had 13 points to power the Lady Warriors to a 25-12, 25-17, 25-15 victory over Bulacan to clinch the remaining semis berth with a 2-1 card.
