Photo from PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Carl Berdal exploded for a conference-high 29 points as 3B recovered in time to turn back a gallant VNS Always Bright Laticrete side, 25-20, 25-19, 25-27, 21-25, 15-13, in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference on Sunday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Event Masters squandered a commanding lead and briefly lost their composure amid a fierce Griffins comeback, but pulled through when it mattered most to secure the victory and rebound from their opening game shutout loss to the Savouge Spin Doctors.
Berdal stood at the forefront of the Event Masters’ breakthrough win, posting a 28-of-61 attacking norm and adding a kill block. He also shone in defense with 14 excellent receptions as 3B thwarted the Griffins in two hours and 17 minutes, the tournament's first match to go full route.
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3B appeared headed for a meltdown after blowing a 2-0 set cushion, as the young Griffins roared back to snatch the third and fourth sets. But with the match hanging in the balance, the Event Masters rediscovered their poise and slammed the door on VNS’s comeback bid.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, mas experienced kayo sa kanila. Pero syempre hindi dapat ano ‘yun, kahit mga bata ‘yan, matatangkad. Saka hindi bata ang laro nila,” said 3B head coach Arjay Francisco.
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“Masaya ako sa performance ng team ko. Unti-unti na kaming nag-ge-gel. Kasi ‘yung first game namin, no tuneups, ensayo lang talaga,” he added.
Trailing by one point in the fifth, 3B called on Kenneth Daynata, who hammered a cross-court attack before Berdal unleashed back-to-back attacks. Ronnie Adviento’s net touch pushed the Event Masters to a 12-9 lead.
VNS, though, kept coming back, delivering consecutive cross-court attacks from Howard Guerra and Adviento to pull within one.
Berdal and Guerra traded blows in a tense exchange before Christhian Olaes and Jerzy Santos followed suit in a rally that propelled the Event Masters to match point, 14-13.
Olaes then delivered the dagger – a perfectly placed push that sealed the win for 3B.
“So ngayon siguro malaking factor ‘yung first game namin Savouge, malakas ‘yung kalaban namin, so nakapag-adjust kami. So maganda kinalabasan ng ensayo kaya ayun,” said Francisco.
Daynata backed Berdal with 20 points, all from attacks, to go with 15 receptions, while Israel Encina tallied 14 points on 10 attacks, three kill blocks, and an ace for the Event Masters.
Aldre Ferrer was limited to just 11 excellent sets, but made his presence felt from the service line with three aces to finish with four points.
Meanwhile, the Griffins slipped to 0-3 to stay at the cellar.
Jerzy Santos led VNS with 16 points off the bench on 13 attacks and three blocks, while Adviento put up an all-around performance of 14 points, eight digs, and 10 receptions.
Guerra, who started the game as setter but transitioned to the wings midway through the match, finished with 21 excellent sets to go along with 11 points. Winfred Santos had 11 points as well, while Djomari Gamotea ended with 10.