National University-Sta. Elena built momentum heading into the championship round after demolishing also-ran VNS One-Alicia, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, 27-25, Tuesday in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Nationals completed a sweep of the round-robin semis and will be entering when the best-of-three finals against the winner between PGJC-Navy and defending champion Cignal oozing with confidence.
The Sealions and HD Spikers are contesting the last championship seat as of press time.
Game 1 of the finals is on Thursday.
Nico Almendras fired 26 points built on 23 attacks, two kill blocks, and an ace while Obed Mukada added 14 markers including 12 off spikes for NU-Sta. Elena, which reasserted its mastery over their elimination round victim.
“This win gave us momentum heading into the finals. We really need this for our confidence,” said Almendras, who displayed an all-around game with five digs and 11 excellent receptions.
The Nationals had some scary moments in the fourth set after Ish Polvorosa pushed the Griffins at set point, 24-23, off an ace.
Almendras saved a set point only for Nationals’ setter Owa Retamar to commit a service error in the next play.
VNS squandered its chance to extend the set after committing three straight miscues with Benedict San Andres sending his serve short, Kevin Montemayor putting too much power on his attack followed by a reception error that ended the one-hour, 52-minute match.
Michaelo Buddin finished with 13 points while Retamar tallied 28 excellent sets for Nationals, who exploited the absence of VNS frontliner Kim Malabunga to unleash 58 attack points.
The Griffins, who went winless in the semis, will get a chance at redemption in the battle for third against the Cigna-Navy loser.
Montemayor led VNS with 13 points, San Andres and Michael Doria had 12 markers each while Uriel Mendoza registered 11 points.
