IEM wins Shakey’s V-L men’s title
Instituto Estetico Manila (IEM) outplayed Systema Tooth and Gum Care in the final set to secure a 25- 21, 24- 26, 25- 22, 1425, 15- 12 victory yesterday to crown itself the inaugural men’s division champion of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
The Volley Masters shrugged off a lackluster fourth set that saw them stumbling into a maze of errors and came back rejuvenated in the deciding frame by unloading a barrage of kills that shattered the rock- solid defensive wall of the Active Smashers.
Rudy Gatdula sealed the win for IEM with a crosscourt attack off the block of two Systema defenders to complete the Volley Masters’ comeback from a loss in Game 1.
IEM lost the series opener, 21-25, 23- 25, 25- 19, 25- 23, 16- 14, but bounced back in Game 2, 19- 25, 25- 19, 13- 25, 25- 21, 15- 13, to set up a fitting conclusion to the league’s third conference.
“We cannot avoid those kinds of situations given the fact that this team is new. But I told them to forget the first four sets and start all over again in the fifth set,” said IEM Coach Jun Balubar, who is also a Math teacher at Quezon City High School.
“This is just a race to 15, we should jump the gun, huwag makuntento sa isang block para magkaroon tayo ng segments of points,” he added.
Conference Most Valuable Player Jeffrey Jimenez showed nerves of steel to finish with 16 points, including 15 kills to be later adjudged as the Finals MVP.
Karl Dela Calzada and Gatdula also provided ample support with 14 and 10 points, respectively, while Best Setter Rennz Ordonez finished with three aces and 44 excellent sets.
Chris Macasaet poured almost everything for Systema by exploding with 25 points, but his efforts to lift his team to the championship went futile.
Earlier, Far Eastern University survived the strong challenge of Rizal Technological University as it won the last two sets to eke out a 2522, 20- 25, 16- 25, 28- 26, 15- 13 victory to take the bronze medal.
The feat gave the Tamaraws of veteran coach Kid Santos a boost in their preparation for the UAAP season which starts on Nov. 22.