LIPA CITY, Philippines – Go For Gold-Air Force dodged the upset ax with a feisty 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 15-11 win over VNS Manileño Spikers in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League men’s tournament opener at the Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym here.
National team spikers Mark Alfafara (19 points), Kim Malabunga (16) and John Vic de Guzman (16) spearheaded the Aguilas’ gusty come-from-behind win for a 1-0 start in Pool A of the seven-team tilt.
Edwin Tolentino added 13 markers while Ricky Marcos (14 digs, 16 receptions) and Kim Dayandante (18 excellent sets) quarterbacked the scattered attack of the stacked team that also includes Jessie Lopez and Francis Saura.
Alfafara, Malabunga, De Guzman, Dayandante, Lopez and Saura served as vital cogs in the historic 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medal finish of the Philippine team led by Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo.
In the second match, MRT-Negros gained an early lead in Pool B after fending off Sabong International Spikers, 25-22, 25-16, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12.
Charles David Absin paced Sabong International with 15 markers in a foiled comeback attempt from a 0-2 deficit.