WHAT an upset, indeed.
Capital1 scored only its second-ever franchise win in the most unexpected turn of events — straight sets against two-time reigning PVL Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18 on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Russian import Marina Tushova pulled all the tricks in her sleeve with 24 points on 23 attacks and one ace in a mighty winning effort for the Capital1 who's looking to shed their lowly reputation following a forgettable opening conference in the league.
In only her second game as a Solar Spiker, Iris Tolenada pitched in 15 excellent sets to set up the league’s biggest upset to date.
Cellar dwellers no more
For veteran shot-caller Roger Gorayeb, Capital1 proved outright that they’re no longer a ‘low-level team.’
“Masayang masaya ako kasi who would have ever thought na mai-straight (sets) namin (ang Petro Gazz)? They are always looking at us as a low-level team. Tapos maka-straight set kami ng more experienced team? Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun, morale booster sa mga bata ‘yun,” Gorayeb said.
“Nag-prepare talaga kami diyan eh, pero hindi nila ginawa ngayon. But I stuck to our original plan at naging effective naman kasi ang lakas ng depensa, maski ako nagugulat. Sobrang lakas ng depensa namin," he added.
“Last time kasi, last game we were struggling sa counter attack namin. Ngayon ‘di kami nag-struggle kaya masaya ako.”
Tushova, who was one reception shy of a triple-double with 10 digs and nine receptions, had much-needed help from the young Solar Spikers across the board.
Des Clemente’s five-block night stifled the Angels’ often-lethal offense to cap her nine-point performance alongside team captain Jorelle Singh.
In a rare dismal display, PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle’s 19 points couldn’t save Petro Gazz from being on the wrong end of one of the league’s biggest-ever upsets.
Rare as it goes for the Reinforced Conference’s most decorated team, no other Angel hit double figures.
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