System eyes first Shakey’s V-L men’s title vs IEM

Games tomorrow

12:45 p.m. – Systema vs IEM (for men’s crown)

2:45 p.m. – Cagayan vs Army (for women’s crown)

MANILA, Philippines - System Tooth and Gum Care hopes to come out strong from a week-long rest as it tries to become the first team to nail the men’s crown in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Third Conference against Instituto Estetico Manila in Game Two tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Active Smashers leaned on their awesome blocking to rally from two sets down and upend the Volley Masters in a thrilling 21-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 16-14 win in last week’s opener of their best-of-three series for the inaugural men’s plum in the country’s premier volley league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel.

“The key was our blocking,” said Systema coach Arnoled Laniog, whose wards produced 18 blocks that slowed down IEM’s vaunted attacking game.

Gametime is at 12:45 p.m. and will be shown live on GMA News TV Channel, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Though it came down to an IEM error and Syl Honrade’s block and Angelo Espiritu’s ace to clinch the win for Systema, the Active Smashers also displayed grace under pressure and their big fighting heart to overcome a 0-2 set deficit and snatch the victory.

Despite gaining the upperhand in a short title series, the Active Smashers remain wary of the Volley Masters, who are raring to strike back and send the series to a deciding match set next week.

But Laniog hopes to draw a strong start from his wards and avoid falling into a 0-2 hole again with Honrade, Espiritu along with Patrick Rojas, Chris Macasaet and Christopher Antonio tipped to carry the cudgels for the Active Smashers again.

IEM coach Ernesto Balubar, meanwhile, is confident of a big comeback with MVP Jeffrey Jimenez tipped to lead the charge together with Karl dela Calzada, Rudy Gatdula, Jason Canlas, Salvador Timbal and Michael Conde.