Mateo Returns From Ankle Injury, Helps ClearSkiiin Hold Off AFP Comeback

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Klint Mateo’s return from a rolled left ankle steadied ClearSkiiin. The UV Smashers held off a furious Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rally to stay unbeaten in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday, November 3.

ClearSkiiin took the first two sets, 25-12 and 25-14, before AFP forced a decider at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The UV Smashers needed a two-hour effort to finish the job.

Klint Mateo returned in the deciding set after rolling his left ankle in the third frame, helping steady ClearSkiiin's offense against AFP. [PVL Images] — Klint Mateo returned in the deciding set after rolling his left ankle in the third frame, helping steady ClearSkiiin’s offense against AFP. [PVL Images]

Mateo’s Return Steadies ClearSkiiin

Mateo rolled his left ankle after landing on the foot of AFP’s Ranran Abdilla in the third set. The starting setter returned in the deciding frame and helped steady the offense.

The AFP Cavaliers, led by Abdilla and Herald Domingo, claimed the third and fourth sets, 26-24 and 25-14, to level the match at 2-2. ClearSkiiin’s early dominance had vanished.

UV Smashers head coach Joe Bangit gave AFP credit for its adjustments. “A lot of credit goes to them. They played super fast, they had a lot more of the chance points, I thought, and it took us off our game a little bit,” he said.

ClearSkiiin Survives Decisive Fifth Set

ClearSkiiin raced to a 5-0 lead in the decider and kept AFP at bay despite its attempts to close the gap. KC Andrade scored off a quick attack from Renzel Antonio, and a block denied Pol Salvador to put the UV Smashers at match point.

Antonio was stuffed on the next play, allowing the Cavaliers to save the match point. JM Ronquillo then ended AFP’s resistance with an emphatic block on Abdilla.

Nas Gwaza paced ClearSkiiin with 16 points on 10 attacks, five blocks and one ace, while Antonio had 14 points and 10 excellent receptions. Jay Rack De La Noche added 12 points, and Ronquillo chipped in nine.

Kim Dayandante dished out 16 excellent sets off the bench, while Bhim Diones anchored the floor defense with 16 excellent digs. Mateo added 12 excellent sets despite his injury.

Abdilla led AFP with 17 points, while Domingo had 13. Salvador and James Buytrago added 11 points apiece as the Cavaliers fell to 0-5 with their fifth straight defeat.

ClearSkiiin will try to extend its winning streak to six games against Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. AFP will try to snap its losing streak against Alpha Insurance on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Philsports Arena.