Familian Spikers survive against TUA for finals ticket
The semifinalists served the crowd a thrilling pre-finals three-setter last Thursday for the last seat to the AAPS District IV 2018 finals at the Familian Court, 26-24, 25-20, 25-20.
Familian Spikers, standing with a 4-0 win-loss record, opened a fiery first set aided by Lacay's drop, Angkaw's ace, and Navarro's block at 4-0, giving the volleyball varsity team of Trinity University of Asia (TUA) no chance to score until an error.
The audience was silenced when Ponce De Leon managed to push a drop ball through the host-school's defence to force deadlock at 13-13. TUA's offence fired numerous attacks and aces sending them to the set point, 24-20.
Despite the crucial moment, Navarro was able to gain composure to fire back 4 consecutive attacks, turning the tables on TUA to give them the set point instead. Not wanting to extend anymore, San Jose scored a drop ball, closing the set at 26-24.
Ulang of TUA served hard balls to her team's opponent early in the second set to give them the lead, 9-6. Navarro did not let her team's gritty opponent disrupt them from taking the lead, tying the set at 11-11, after a cross-court hit.
Hardly recovering from an attack courtesy of Navarro, the Spikers were able to conclude another set with a strategic push from Angkaw, 25-20.
Eager to claim the last ticket, Lacay served defence-rattling aces immediately gaining the lead at 2-0. Approaching the over-received ball from TUA, Ombid was able to pin the opponents until an error was committed.
An off-the-block hit from Navarro in collaboration with Allarde's service ace did not let TUA's ace serve catch up with them finishing the match, 25-20.
Navarro scored double-digits in the thrilling match at 18 points made up of 14 attacks, 2 blocks, and 2 service aces. TUA’s Ulang, on the other hand, chalked up 10 points.
