Can Imus continue its comeback for the bronze? Or will Iloilo retain their spot at third?
The Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography AJAA Spikers finally got a semifinals win on Monday, but they fall short of a final two spot due to an inferior set ratio. On Wednesday, they would have to face D' Navigators Iloilo once again in a bid for the bronze medal in the 2023 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
Here are three things to expect in the series
Return of Bryan Bagunas
Better late than never, probably.
The 2018 Spikers' Turf Open Conference MVP was initially set to return by the second or third week of March to reinforce Imus. But the six-foot-five wing spiker was just too good and brought his club Win Streak to the finals of the Top League championship in Taiwan, putting his Spikers' Turf plans on hold.
In the winner-take-all Game 3, he exploded for 42 points on 39 spikes, 2 blocks, and an ace to help Win Streak get the title against Taipower. While Bagunas may have been too late to contribute in Imus' semifinals campaign, he might be able to pitch in for their bronze bid.
Diskarteng Disquitado vs the Hero Imus needs
The semifinals showdown between Iloilo and Imus on Monday was a delight as top scorer Jade Disquitado delivered an attacking masterclass with 30 points—29 coming off spikes. And yet his effort fell short for D' Navigators, because of one Hero Austria.
The fellow outside hitter stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points coming off 12 attacks, 4 blocks, and an ace, along with 7 excellent digs and 20 excellent receptions to help Imus get their first semifinals victory. It would be interesting to see how they can adjust.
Lamangan sa gulangan
With so many powerful spikers such as Disquitado and Kim Malabunga on either side of the court, it would be interesting to see how the brains of each squad would play the game. Iloilo's JM Apolinario shone in the preliminaries as the second-best setter with an average of 5.08 per frame. Imus' Ish Polvoras was fifth with 3.90.
But they're not the only setters on deck for both squads. During their semifinals bout, it was John Wayne Araño who tallied 18 excellent sets for Iloilo, while Rey Taneo called the shots for Imus with 14.
The battle for third will begin this Wednesday at 3 p.m. and will be shown live on One Sports+. It will also be aired at 6:30 p.m. on One Sports.