Volley Masters foil Smashers

MANILA, Philippines - Jason Canlas took charge in the decider as Instituto Estetico Manila thwarted Systema Tooth and Gum Care, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 15-12, in a thrilling start to the first-ever men’s division in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Foreign Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan last night.

Canlas, who played college ball for NCBA, led the Volley Masters with 16 hits, including two kills late in the final set to help lift IEM past Systema in the inaugural men’s tournament in the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

“This is historic because we won the first ever game of Shakey’s V-League’s breakthrough men’s division,” said Instituto coach Jun Balubar, who also steered NCBA to multiple titles in the NCRAA and CUSA.

Behind Canlas’ attacks, Instituto seized a 14-11 lead in the fifth set but Christopher Antonio came through with a kill to keep Systema in the match that featured superb quick plays, crisp kills, superb blocking and rallies never seen in a long while.

The Active Smashers still had a chance to close the gap in the ensuing play but Patrick John Rojas hit his spike long, enabling the Volley Masters to wrap up the victory after a grueling two-hour, five-minute encounter.

Jeffrey Jimenez and Karl Ian dela Calzada backed up Canlas with a pair of 13 markers while Salvador Timbal and Rudy Gatdula added nine points apiece.

Antonio smashed in 23 hits, including 17 attacks, for Systema, which also paraded actor/sportsman Richard Gomez, who played in the first two sets and in the fourth set where he helped his team force a decider. He ended up with four hits.

Earlier, FEU overcame a pesky Phl Under-17 team, 25-15, 25-23, 25-23, in a tune-up game that kicked off the season-ending conference of the league backed by Mikasa and Accel.

Bernadette Pons led the onslaught with 14 hits including 11 on kills to power the Tams to the win.

The exhibition match is part of the league’s effort to help train the national teams gearing up for various international competitions, according to the organizing Sports Vision.