CHANNON Thompson powered Motolite to a come-from-behind 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 15-12 victory to eliminate BaliPure in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The 25-year-old outside hitter from Trinidad and Tobago unloaded 27 points built on 22 attacks, three blocks and two service for Motolite.
Thompson helped Motolite break an 8-all deadlock in the fifth set, scoring three points in a crucial 4-1 stretch that allowed it to grab a 12-9 lead.
Danijela Dzakovic kept hopes alive for BaliPure, getting it to within one, 13-12, but Kystle Esdelle snapped that rally with a thunderous spike before Grazielle Bombita committed a tough mis-hit that ended the night for the Water Defenders.
Esdelle uncorked 20 of her 24 points off kills, while Isa Molde and Aie Gannaban both had seven for Motolite.
"We didn't start how we wanted to. We didn't really start off on a strong note, which I think everyone was starting to get frustrated with. And I think we just started letting our emotions get the best of us," said coach Air Padda as her side surrendered the first two sets and played catch-up against the cellar-dwelling BaliPure.
"I'm happy, I'm happy we pulled it together sets three, four, and five. I think that's kind of like when our team arrived, I think we kind of woke up and we got serious. We started playing with our heads and not playing with our emotions. Anytime you're coming back two sets to zero is like some serious perseverance going on right there. And I'm just happy that they pulled it together."
Motolite has won three of its last four games to rise to fouth place at 3-5, as it turns its attention to BanKo-Perlas (2-5) on Sunday at Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The loss also booted BaliPure out of playoff contention with its 0-8 record.
Montenegrin import Dzakovic led the Water Defenders with 18 points, powered by 16 attacks.
Bombita added 15 markers, while Serbian reinforcement Alexandra Vajdova got 12.
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