PLDT Home TVolution edged two-time champion Generika-Army, 28-26, 16-25, 29-27, 13-25, 15-12, on Wednesday to take second spot in the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference at Cuneta Astrodome.
Team captain Sue Roces led the way with 17 points, while Angela Benting had 13 as the Power Attackers scored their straight win for a 2-1 slate behind newcomer AirAsia (2-0).
“Akala ko mauulit ang nangyari sa amin noong first game namin, buti naunahan namin sila sa fifth set,” said Power Attackers mentor Roger Gorayeb, whose squad lost to Petron in the conference opener also in five sets.
Louann Latigay scored 12 and Sasa Devanadera had 11 points for the Power Attackers, who survived a late game surge from the Lady Troopers.
Army came up with four consecutive points to tie the game 11-all in the fifth. Devanadera and Rachel Anne Daquis exchanged points before PLDT ended the long rally with three consecutive points capped by a Latigay service ace.
“Mahirap kalaban ang Army, mabigat at solid na team ’yan. Mahirap sila i-walangbahala. Pasalamat na lang kami na nanalo kami,” said Gorayeb.
Despite giving 34 points to Army through its errors, PLDT played fine defense as the Power Attackers registered 39 excellent receptions compared to the 29 of the Lady Troopers.
“Hindi kasi kundisyon ang mga players, ’di sila panglaro, nagta-trabaho kasi ’yang mga ’yan tapos maglalaro pa dito (sa PSL),” said Gorayeb, explaining that 10 of his 12 players have regular jobs and play volleyball only part-time.
“Ang depensa namin napakalakas, ang receive at ang coverage after ng block, doon na lang kami nagka-capitalize. Ang opensa namin ang nasa-sakripisyo pero ang depensa namin talaga walang kuwestiyon,” he added.
After their championship quest in the Shakey's V-League Season 11 First Conference, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Daquis showed no signs of fatigue and came up with 20 and 19 points, respectively, for Generika-Army.
Ging Balse scored 14, Jac Alarca added 12 and Nene Bautista had 10 markers for the Lady Troopers.
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