They needed a straight-sets win. They got a straight-sets win.
Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography AJAA Spikers came into Game 2 of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Battle for Third on Friday with a two-fold mission—to reassert their mastery of D’Navigators Iloilo, and to do so without giving up a set to move closer to claiming the bronze medal.
Winning—and sweeping—wasn’t an easy job, especially after Game 1, where Iloilo finally got over the hump and finally defeated them after so many failed attempts before.
They did make it look easy, though, winning 25-19, 25-18, 25-21 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. That is even without Bryan Bagunas, who remains out after just recently ending his import stint in Taiwan.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi ‘yung pinag-usapan namin after namin matalo nung Game 1 is nagawa namin, nagampanan namin,” said Hero Austria, who scored 12 points for the Sammy Acaylar-mentored squad.
“’Yun ‘yung pinakagusto ko sa team namin, nagtulong-tulong kami, nag-work hard kami para manalo at makuha ‘yung straight sets,” the spiker added.
Winning in straight sets could mean they no longer have to play Game 3 on Sunday. If Cignal HD Spikers defeat the Cotabato Spikers on Friday’s Game 2 of the finals and sweep their way towards the title, Imus would seal the bronze medal following the quotient system.
Coach Acaylar is proud his squad came through.
“Sabi ko sa mga players ko, ‘Please give your best. Your skills individually, then put it into one team as Imus.’ Nangyari ngayon, that’s why I’m happy.”
Now, fans of the AJAA Spikers should start cheering for Cignal to give their squad an early clinching of the bronze.