Go for Gold nears gold
LIPA CITY — Go for Gold-Air Force bounced back from a slow start to pull off a 26-28, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 win over Global Remit in the semifinals of the Champions League Friday at the Aquamarine Sports Complex here.
John Vic de Guzman provided the spark while newcomer Lloyd Josafat provided clutch hits for the Aguilas, who inched closer to the gold medal match of this tourney that aims to determine the best volleyball club in the country.
Go for Gold-Air Force will face the survivor in the semifinal tussle between Team Dasmariñas and VNS Manileño Spikers in the sudden-death finals showdown on Saturday at 4 p.m.
The Monarchs and the Manileño Spikers are still clashing at press time.
De Guzman fired 15 kills for a game-high 16 points while Josafat registered 15 markers built on eight attacks, four blocks and three aces for the Aguilas, who will march into the championship duel with an immaculate card.
Veteran spiker Ben Inaudito and middle blocker Kim Malabunga also shone as they chipped in 10 points while national team stalwart Mark Alfafara added nine markers.
Setter Kim Dayandante was also impressive as he tallied 29 excellent sets and four blocks in his first start while libero Ricky Marcos did a superb job in protecting the floor with 16 excellent sets and 15 digs.
“I told them to keep on pushing. Our system is already there, we just encountered some troubles down the stretch,” said Aguilas mentor Dante Alinsunurin, the architect of the national squad’s historic silver-medal finish in the 30th Southeast Asian Games two years ago.
“For as long as we stick with our system and do what we used to do, we will be alright.”
National team member Joeven fired 20 kills and three blocks for a 23-hit effort while Joshua Zareno logged 15 markers for Global Remit, which was relegated to the battle for bronze against the loser of the Team DasmariñasVNS Manileño clash also on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Christian Marcelino, Jian Salarzon and Leo Ordiales carried MRT-Negros to a 10-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-21, 15-5 win over Sabong International to claim the fifth place.
Marcelino fired 16 points while Salarzon and Ordiales added 15 markers apiece to help the Negros-based squad wrap up its campaign on a winning note.
For as long as we stick with our system and do what we used to do, we will be alright.