Set to Kill outlasts Served Shot

Set to Kill’s Jeff Riman digs the ball during the first set of Game 1 of their title duel against Served Hot in the Ol’Aces Sports Club’s 2016 Co-ed Thanksgiving Spike Fest last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Set to Kill survived Served Hot’s gallant stand in the finals to rule the Ol’Aces Sports Club’s 2016 Co-ed Thanksgiving Spike Fest that concluded last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The champion team was made up of Kriszell Esteves, Bryan Valenton, Jeff Riman, John Legacion, Cecille Guevarra, Krystel Maluyo, and Danny Borlain.

Esteves and company squandered their first chance to win the championship after losing Game 1 of the finals before regaining their bearings in Game 2 to wrap up the nearly two-hour duel. Set to Kill had a twice-to-beat advantage in the title match after sweeping their first four games in the winner’s bracket, while Served Hot fought its way out of the loser’s draw to advance to the championship showdown. Set to Kill barged into the finals after beating DFS in the winner’s bracket semis, while Served Hot also topped the latter in the loser’s bracket semis to clinch the second finals ticket.

In Game 1 of the title game, the heavily favored Set to Kill easily took the first set, 25-13, but failed to finish off Served Hot quickly as the latter won the last two, 25-22, 16-14. Set to Kill played relaxed a bit in the second set after easing past Served Hot in the first. Riman and Valenton’s kills, which gave Set to Kill the most points in the first set, this time were either way out or short, while there were also some miscommunication among the other players receiving Served Hot’s returns.

With Set to Kill’s erratic plays, Served Hot managed to recover from a 6-12 deficit and dominate the latter part of the second half. A spike from Jesus Iguel moved Served Hot a point away from winning the second set, 24-21, however Dolores Rangamar made a long return in the ensuing play to keep Set to Kill’s hopes alive, 22-24.

Maluyo served when Set to Kill got the ball back, but after a few exchanges, Served Hot got the game point when Riman lost the handle as he tried to toss the ball and the leather slipped off from his hands.

In the deciding third set, Set to Kill got off to a good start anew, but Served Hot rallied to prevail in the extended game. The third set was tied last at 14-all after Mike Iguel’s service went over the backline. Served Hot then broke the deadlock, 15-14, when Charnessa Lizama made a short return with the ball rolling over the net and Esteves failing to receive it as she decided to turn her back, anticipating a strong shot from their opponent and getting ready to set up one of her teammates. Another miscalculation cost Set to Kill Game 1 and sent the finale to a winner-take-all Game 2 when Valenton’s kill in the ensuing play went short.

In the final game, Set to Kill regained control, leading by as much as 8, 24-16 and this time held its ground against another comeback bid from Served Hot. Two straight points from Served Hot off Set to Kill’s wide return and short spike kept the former in the match. However, not for long, as it was Served Hot’s turn to commit an error when it was called for three touches, allowing Set to Kill to top the first set, 25-18, and move closer to winning the championship.

In the second set, Set to Kill was again ahead, but had to survive Served Hot’s rally in the homestretch to rule the 14-team tournament that started last Monday. Set to Kill once led at 12-6, but Served Hot won the next exchanges to threaten the former, 18-19. Lizama scored at least three points in the rally off her serves, as fatigue started to take its toll on some of Set to Kill players and they were a step slower in running after the ball.

Set to Kill then got more breathing room when it gained 3 points off Served Hot’s error and one from Esteves’ dink, 23-19. An ace from Jesus Iguel cut the deficit to three, 20-23, but a spike from Riman moved Set to Kill closer to the win. Another kill—this time from Legacion—finally gave Set to Kill the title victory—as Rangamar tried to stop and toss the ball up, but the ball bounced out of the sideline.