MANILA, Philippines - Rizal Technological University came back strong from a third set meltdown then outhit Instituto Estetico Manila in the decider to pound out a 25-22, 25-27, 12-25, 29-27, 15-11 decision to tighten up the race in men’s play of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Third Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Alnasip Laja, who didn’t see action in the Thunder’s loss to Far Eastern U last Thursday, blasted 23 kills while Sahud Masahud and skipper Sabtal Abdul combined for 25 hits as the Mandaluyong-based squad pulled through in a thrilling fourth set battle then sustained their form in the fifth to hack out the two-hour, 11-minute victory.
It was the fourth straight five-setter in the inaugural staging of the four-team men’s tournament and RTU’s victory made it all 1-1 among the Thunder, the IEM Volley Masters, the FEU Tams and the Systema Active Smashers.
IEM, which upended Systema last Sunday, struggled in the early going coming off a week-long break but bounced back in the second set then pounced on RTU’s listless showing in the third.
But the Thunder wore down the Volley Masters in the grueling four-setter that took 34 minutes to finish then pressed their bid in the decider to wheel back into contention in the double-round elims where the top two teams will clash for the first-ever men’s crown in the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.
RTU’s win likewise put to naught IEM’s Jeffrey Jimenez’s 25-hit game after a 13-point production the first time out as well as the double-digit outputs of three other IEM stalwarts.
Karl dela Calzada fired 15 hits while Jason Canlas and Rudy Gatdula had 14 and 11 markers, respectively, despite being subbed in the second frame.