MOTOLITE finally barged into the win column with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-18 victory over BaliPure on Sunday in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference at the Arena in San Juan City.
Shaking off all the injuries that hounded the expansion team in its conference debut, Motolite relied on import Channon Thompson to end a four-game losing slump and end the first round of the eliminations with high hopes.
Thompson unleashed 20 points off 14 kills, four blocks and a pair of service aces for Motolite, which also drew an impressive effort from the locals.
Marist Layug and Tots Carlos had eight points each, while import Krystle Esdelle added seven markers. Setter Fhen Emnas dished out nine excellent sets and 10 digs, while libero Thang Ponce had 10 digs and as many as excellent receptions.
Motolite head coach Air Padda was relieved to end a tough week that had the team playing five games in nine days on a high note.
“We just wanted to end the first round on a really positive note. It's been a really, really tough week for us,” said Motolite head coach Air Padda.
“I told them today that it doesn't matter all the games that we played in the past,” she added. “What only matters is the most important game that we play is the one that we are playing today.”
After a convincing first set win, Motolite erased a 13-19 deficit in Set 2 as Thompson scored five in a closing 12-2 run to take a commanding two-set lead.
Danijela Dzakovic led the way with 18 points while Alexandra Vajdova added 11 markers, but they couldn't save the Water Defenders from losing a fourth successive game.
BaliPure will wrap up its Round 1 campaign against second-running Creamline (3-1) on Wednesday.
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