Volley Masters sweep Tams, wrest solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - Instituto Estetico Manila foiled Far Eastern U’s fightback in each of the three frames and came away with the first straight-set romp in the inaugural men’s play, 25-20, 25-22, 25-20, in the Shakey’s V-:League Season 11 Foreign Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Karl dela Calzada punched in 11 hits, including three blocks, while Salvador Timbal, who struggled for just three points in a losing stand to Rizal Technological U last Sunday, stepped up with 10 hits as the IEM Volley Masters kept the initiative all throughout the 76-minute encounter of power play.

The victory was IEM’s second straight after blowing a 2-1 set lead and dropping a five-setter to Systema in last week’s opener of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel as the Volley Masters moved on top of the four-team field after the first round elims.

Cagayan Valley posted its second straight sweep after a five-set setback to Army, routing Meralco, 25-14, 25-20, 25-16, to gain solo second in the premier women’s division with a 2-1 card following its straight-set romp over PLDT Home Telpad last Sunday.

With Aiza Maizo-Pontillas firing 18 hits and Janine Marciano unleashing 12 points, the Rising Suns overpowered the Power Spikers, 42-20, in attacks while coming through with 11 blocks as against their rivals’ seven to complete their domination of the 67-minute match.

Meralco dropped to 0-3.

Michael Conde and Jeffrey Jimenez added nine hits apiece to underscore IEM’s balanced offensive sock which produced 36 kills against FEU’s 32 with both teams coming through with seven blocks apiece.

The match was actually close throughout but the Volley Masters unleashed strong finishing kicks in all three sets to stun the Tams, who fell to their second loss against a win.

Systema and RTU, tied at second with 1-1 slates, clash tomorrow (Thursday) with the winner joining IEM at the helm heading to the crucial phase. The top two teams after the double-round elims will dispute the first-ever men’s crown in the league where it all started.

Franco Camcamo and Greg Dolor fired 11 hits each but FEU coach Florentino Santos failed to draw solid support from the rest of the Tams. Jeric Gacutan, who rammed in 13 points in a winning attack against RTU last Thursday, finished with just six hits, while Joshua Barrica, who exploded for 15 the last time out, chipped in just four points while being subbed in the last two sets.