Protectors’ Conditioning Becomes Secret Weapon in Three-Game Spikers’ Turf Run

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Three games in five days sounds like a recipe for tired legs, but Alpha Insurance has turned the schedule into an edge. The Protectors finished the stretch with a 25-16, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of 3B on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Filoil Centre.

The win moved Alpha Insurance to 4-2 and into fourth place in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. It also strengthened the Protectors’ semifinal bid after back-to-back losses to National University-Archipelago Builders and Criss Cross.

Jetlee Gopio leads Alpha Insurance’s defensive effort with six of the Protectors’ 14 kill blocks against 3B. [PVL Images]

Alpha Insurance Conditioning Pays Off

The streak began with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of AEP-Cabstars on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Alpha Insurance followed with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-15 win over the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Head coach Mike Santos credited his staff. “Siguro, it’s time to give credit sa coaching staff namin, lalo na sa strength and conditioning coach namin, kasi maganda ‘yung binigay niyang program para masustain ng mga bata ‘yung ganitong klase ng schedule,” he said.

Santos said the Protectors will stay the course. “Papunta pa rin kami sa magagandang laban, so I think itutuloy lang namin kung ano ‘yung nasimulan na namin,” he added.

Defense proved crucial against 3B, as the Protectors posted 14 kill blocks led by Jetlee Gopio’s six. Lance De Castro anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions to help contain the Event Masters’ attack.

“I’m very happy with the performance of the team and of course meron pa kaming kayang ibigay. I think it’s a test of character especially in our upcoming games, so kahit anong mangyari pipilitin namin lumabas ‘yung mga kaya pa naming ilabas,” said De Castro.

Alpha Insurance Eyes Fourth Straight Win

Reymark Betco led Alpha Insurance with 10 points despite playing only the final two sets. Gopio added nine, while Vince Himzon and Axel Van Book chipped in six apiece.

Rocky Motol added five points. Ronn Domingo gave the Protectors a spark off the bench with 10 excellent sets after taking over playmaking duties from EJ Casana in the third set.

Alpha Insurance will try for a fourth straight win against VNS-Laticrete on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Filoil Centre. A victory would extend the streak to four games.

3B absorbed its third straight defeat to fall to 1-4. Harry Ocay was the lone bright spot for the Event Masters with 13 points. They will try to snap the skid against Far Eastern University-DN Steel on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.