Cabuyao achieved what four previous teams could not, beating previously unbeaten La Salle-EcoOil, 25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22, to clinch the top spot in Pool B and a quarterfinal spot in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Friday.
In a display of remarkable teamwork, Michael Doria and Jomar Soriano stepped up in the clutch, coming through with back-to-back hits to put the Cabstars at match point after JM Ronquillo single-handedly put the Green Oilers back to the match at 21-22 on a five-hit binge.
An attack error by Yoyong Mendoza after Doria and Soriano’s heroics sealed the one-hour, 46-minute victory for the Cabstars, who tied the Green Oilers at 4-1 at the end of the single round elims in the four-group tournament organized by Sports Vision.
Cabuyao took the top seeding due to superior points, 13-10, over La Salle-EcoOi, which had appeared to be in control of Pool B after sweeping its first four games.
The Green Oilers also booked the other quarters berth in the knockout phase as VNS (7 points), which could also finish at 4-1 with a victory over Air Force on Dec. 1, won’t be able to surpass the former’s tiebreak points even if it sweeps its last elims rival.
“Siguro nagkasabay-sabay yung magandang laro ng mga bata kaya hindi kami nahirapan na lumaban sa La Salle although alam naman natin na champion team sila pero ito na yung Cabstars na tinutukoy namin,” said Cabuyao head coach Kitty Antiporta.
Joshua Ramilo led the Cabstars’ big win with 23 points and 25 excellent receptions, while Soriano contributed 14 points and eight digs.
Middle blockers Doria and Gab Magsino also produced 13 points apiece while Jerico Adajar tossed 27 excellent sets.
Ronquillo paced the Green Oilers with 21 points on 17 attacks and four blocks, while Noel Kampton and Mendoza added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Cabuyao and La Salle will face Pool C’s second seed and first seed, respectively, in the crossover quarters.