Don Nadera of Alpha Insurance attacks the defense of FEU in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, November 2, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- Alpha Insurance twice erased a one-set deficit on their way to a tough five-set victory over FEU-DN Steel in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference on Sunday.
The Protectors got a superb effort from Don Nadera in their marathon 22-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 18-16 triumph at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Nadera tallied 23 points -- including the final two kills -- in a breakout performance for Alpha Insurance after seeing limited minutes in their first two games of the conference.
With JJ Javelona sidelined due to personal reasons, Alpha Insurance head coach Mike Santos turned to Nadera in the second set to replace the struggling Francis Casas -- and Nadera delivered.
He rallied the Protectors in the fourth set to force a decider, then came up with back-to-back off-the-block hits in the final frame to tow his team to a huge win.
"Sobrang happy at nakuha namin ang panalo. Thank you kay God at ibinigay Niya sa amin," said Nadera afterward. "Mahirap kalaban ang Tamaraws – malakas sila, kaya kailangan din buo ang puso namin."
The Protectors improved to 2-1 and bounced back after a five-set defeat to defending champion Cignal HD.
READ: Ramirez stars as Cignal outlasts Alpha Insurance in 5 sets
"Every game, trabaho lang kami. We always go hard," said Nadera.
The Protectors saved two match points before Nadera fired a cross-court hit to tie the game at 15. Luis Miguel's down-the-line attempt then sailed out, putting Alpha Insurance ahead, 16-15.
Lirick Mendoza kept the Tamaraws alive with a huge block on Rocky Motol, but Nadera hammered back-to-back off-the-block hits to seal the victory against his alma mater.
"Natutuwa ako kasi from a loss, nakabawi kami ngayon," said Santos, referring to their close-five set defeat against the Super Spikers last Wednesday. "Yun naman ang goal ko rin, kahit sinong makatapat namin it's going to be a challenge for them."
"Kasi nagtatrabaho rin naman kami. Mahirap, mahirap din talunin ang FEU dahil solid din na team 'yan. Galing pa sa champion sa V-League, so 'yung sistema niyan talagang matibay," he added.
Motol tallied 20 points built on 18 attacks and two blocks, on top of 29 excellent receptions, while Barbie San Andres added 16 points and eight excellent digs as Alpha Insurance overcame a 1-2 set deficit and prevailed in a tense decider.
FEU-DN Steel fell to 1-2. Miguel paced the Tamaraws with 17 points, all from the attack line, while Dryx Saavedra and Charles Absin added 13 points apiece in the loss.