MANILA, Philippines — Ateneo, Cignal and Sta. Elena rolled past their respective rivals to clinch berths in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Spikers’ Turf Season 4 Open Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila last Sunday.
Chumason Njigha pumped in eight points in the decider to lift the Blue Eagles to a scary 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 15-8 victory over the upset-minded Easytrip Road Spikers, good for the top seeding in Pool B with a 4-0 record.
The six-foot-three middle blocker finished with 25 markers, highlighted by 15 attack points. He knocked down three straight hits to give Ateneo an early 3-1 edge in the fifth, and the Eagles held sway to post the victory capped by Njigha’s last two points.
Ron Medalla added 17 points while Sebastian Cuerva and Luis Ligot chipped in 11 and 10, respectively. Cuerva also tallied 10 receptions and nine digs while Lance de Castro produced 20 receptions for the fancied Eagles.
Mardy Galang scored 16 points for Easytrip, which slipped to 2-2.
The Cignal HD Spikers, meanwhile, dominated the Volleyball Never Stops Volleyball Club Griffins, 25-20, 25-19, 25-16, to likewise advance to the next phase with a similar 4-0 slate in Pool A.
Ysay Marasigan banged in 16 points while Rex Intal added 10 markers for the HD Spikers, who also drew nine markers from Marck Espejo, who added seven digs. The team drew 20 sets from Vince Mangulabnan in just three sets of play.
Jeremy Merat came up with eight markers for VNS, which took its first loss in three matches.
Earlier, Nico Almendras and Edward Camposano fired 20 points apiece to power the Sta. Lucia Ball Hammers past the UST Spikers, 25-12, 23-25, 25-21, 31-29, to secure a spot in the next round in Pool D with a 3-0 mark.
Joshua Retamar anchored Sta. Elena’s superb offense with 26 excellent sets and 10 digs while Banjo Mondero chipped in 12 markers and 17 digs for Sta. Elena.
Lorenz Senoron, Genesis Redido and Wewe Medina hit 12 points each for UST, who closed out with a 2-3 card.