Team Dasma Monarchs survived the late charge of VNS Manileño Spikers to prevail 25-20, 30-28, 20-25, 21-25, 18-16 and book a finals berth in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League for Men at the Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa City, Batangas.
The Monarchs squandered a two-set lead as well as three matchpoint advantages before capturing the win in a little over two hours.
Team Dasma’s victory arranged them a championship tussle against Go for Gold-Air Force Aguilas, who earlier toppled Global Remit in the other semifinal duel, 26-28, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19.
Finals will be on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Trailing 14-12 in the pivotal fifth set, the Manileño spikers breathed life through Team Dasma’s erratic service before Mark Frederick Calado’s crosscourt spike put the Monarchs at matchpoint, 17-16.
The Manileño spikers ran out of luck this time and stumbled with their reception to give the Monarchs the victory.
Calado exploded for 28 points for Team Dasma, while Madzlan Gampon fired 14 attacks for 17 points.
Ronniel Rosales added 13 points.
The Manileño Spikers came out smoking at the attack line with 73 kills against Team Dasma’s 64, but failed to deliver when it mattered most.
John Benedict San Andres, Mark Montemayor and Benjaylo Labide scored identical 16 points in a losing effort for the Manileño Spikers.