PLDT MyDSL bagged the first men's title of the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix, overcoming Systema's late fightback, 28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 22-25, 16-14, at a jampacked Ynares Sports Arena on Saturday.
"Masaya na masakit, basta marami akong nararamdaman. 'Yung hirap kasi ng isang coach doon mo makikita sa championship" said PLDT MyDSL coach Francis Vicente.
PLDT MyDSL broke loose from a close 3-4 contest and went on a 9-4 run to leave Systema behind 12-8.
The Active Spikers answered with a 6-2 spurt to tie the game 14-all.
Alnasip Laja positioned the Speed Boosters at match point but it was Patrick Rojas who handed PLDT My DSL the win after hitting the ball hard out of the playing court.
Vicente admitted that it was not an easy win.
"Mahirap kasi I cannot underestimate ang kalaban, malalaki sila kaya nila magchampion," he said.
"Kaya kami doon na lang kami nag concentrate sa kung paano magre-retaliate sa weaknesses nila," he added.
It was a total team effort for the Speed Boosters with each player finishing with at least a point. Kheeno Franco led all scorers with 14 points, while Jayson Ramos added 13 and Henry Pecaña contributed 11.
Seldom used Michael Zamora had a game-high 21 points, including six in the final set, for Systema.
"Hindi namin siya mapigilan," said Vicente referring to Zamora. "Ang dulas ng mga palo niya."
Andre Joseph Pareja came up with 15 markers, including four blocks, and Rojas had 12 for the Active Spikers.
Kheeno Franco of PLDT won the MVP award, AJ Pareja and Sylvester Honrade of Systema were the top two middle blockers, while PLDT’s Henry Pecaña was named best opposite spiker, Roman Casillan the best setter and Gilbert Longavela the best libero.
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