Montana managed to break CSKA during the "reds'" away game, thus securing valuable three points, which keep them in third place in the standings with one point less than second-placed Neftochimik and one point more than fourth-placed Lokomotiv Avia. CSKA is sixth. The result 3:1 (25:23, 25:14, 18:25, 25:22) itself speaks volumes about the amplitudes the match went through.
In the first game, the guests from Sofia led the score until 17:17, after which Montana managed to pull ahead to 20:17. Sasho Popov's boys managed to close the gap to 21:20, but the final pressure from the hosts was undeniable, giving them the lead.

In the second set, Montana pulled away with a 5:0 lead early on, with the score constantly rising in favor of the hosts, who registered an impressive 25:14 in their favor and a 2:0 lead in sets.

With their backs against the wall, the "reds" tightened their ranks and immediately signaled that they would not give up without a fight. The score was leveled several times (6:6, 9:9, 13:13), after which CSKA's block started working, and Lyuboslav Simeonov, who replaced Barzakovich, started playing at high speed, and the scoreboard already showed 13:17 in favor of the guests. Having gained momentum, the "army men" did not allow a comeback and closed the set with a difference, after a mistaken serve by Molotkov.

The fourth set offered great amplitudes, after the hosts pulled ahead with 6:1, but mistakes by Montana followed and the score was leveled 6:6. The guests even took the lead, with their advantage reaching 15:17. After a block by Aleksov, Montana took the lead again. Mistakes by Mitev and Shekerdzhiev tilted the scales in favor of the hosts, who after two equalizations (20:20 and 22:22) were the first to get a match point, which Molotkov converted into a 3:1 victory after a successful attack.

The Russian was once again above all, finishing with 23 points (1 block). Aleksov and Dushkov added 11 each, and Balabanov scored another 10 points for the win.

CSKA's opposite hitter Simeonov scored 19 points (3 aces, 4 blocks) and if CSKA had won, he would have deservedly been MVP. Nikolay Penchev added another 11 points for the "reds", and Plamen Shekerdzhiev, who played for CSKA for the first time, finished with 9 points.

The advantage in blocks is in favor of Montana 10/6, as well as in attack 52%/44% and reception 52%/51%. Only on serve were the "reds" better 5/3, but the serving errors were to the detriment of the "reds" 20/11.
Earlier today, Lokomotiv Avia (Plovdiv) won 3:0 (25:20, 25:16, 26:18) against Hebar (Pazardzhik) away, and Beroe 2016 (Stara Zagora) defeated Cherno More (Varna) 3:0 (26:24, 25:22, 25:22) at home.
Thus, the standings after the 17th round look like this: