Lipa City—Lloyd Josafat shone as Go for Gold-Air Force clinched the first finals berth with a 26-28, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 conquest of Global Remit in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League on Friday at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.
Josafat, a University of the East middle blocker, came through with four blocks and three service aces for 15 points.
“My mindset is to be ready. Every game, my coach will tell me to be prepared,” said Josafat, who entered the match in the second set. “I need to be focused in blockings, in attacks.”
Aguilas mentor Dante Alinsunurin was happy the way Josafat responded in the one-hour, 52-minute match.
“He (Josafat) gave us energy inside the court,” said Alinsunurin, whose squad remained unbeaten in three matches in the tournament that has Rebisco, Pitmaster Foundation Inc., Top Speed, 1Pacman Partylist, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee as platinum sponsors and F2 Logistics, Asics, PLDT, MVP Sports Foundation and Mikasa as gold sponsors and BCDA, Philippine Red Cross, Lipa City, Davis Paint and Emerald PVC Pipes, Fittings and Doors as silver sponsors with PNVF godfather, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Champions League, giving his full support.
With the win, Go for Gold got the chance to earn the bragging rights the first-ever Champions League men’s winners and to represent the country in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in Urmia, Iran, from May 15 to 22, 2022.
“Our team manager (Ramil Ranario) really wants us to win the title for us to compete in the Asian Club,” said Alinusunurin, who also handled Rebisco-Philippines in the continental club tournament held in Nakhon, Ratchasima, Thailand, last October.
John Vic de Guzman led the Aguilas with 16 points, Kim Malabunga had 10 points and Rueben Inaudito also scored 10 points to go with eight digs.
Setter Kim Dayadante tossed in 29 excellent sets and matched Josafat’s four blocks, while libero Ricky Marcos tallied 16 receptions and 15 receptions.
The loss negated Joeven dela Vega’s 23-point effort for Global Remit, which failed to sustain its opening set win as Go for Gold stepped up its game in the second set. Joshua Zareno and Alex Disquitado added 15 and 11 points, respectively.