IMUS CITY — Motolite escaped Pacifictown-Army in a cardiac fifth set finish, 25-23, 21-25,17-25, 25-21, 15-13, to keep its semifinals hopes alive in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference on Sunday at the Imus Sports Complex here.
Imports Channon Thompson and Krystle Esdelle lifted the Motolite from a 1-2 match deficit and kept their team afloat in the deciding set for its second win in six matches rising at the No.4 spot.
Thompson unleashed with 28 points off 23 kills, three service aces and two blocks, while Esdelle had 23 points built on 19 attacks, three blocks and an ace.
“Sobrang proud of them,” said Motolite’s American coach Air Padda. “It’s been a long first round for us. I think just coming back (against Army) showed our perseverance. It was nice to see them come from behind and laban. It’s not easy coming back two sets down and winning.”
The imports from Trinidad and Tobago embarked a fiery 11-6 start for Motolite in the fifth set.
The Lady Troopers, however, unleashed a 5-1 run capped by Alina Bicar’s back-to-back service aces to cut it down to just one, 12-11, but Esdelle solid block on Olena Lymarev—Flink and Thompson’s backrow kill put Motolite at match point, 14-11.
Army trimmed it down to one anew as Jessma Ramos committed a crucial service error and Jenelle Jordan blocked Esdelle, 14-13. But an anti-climactic ending let Motolite escaped as a costly miscommunication between four Lady Troopers failed to recover the ball from a dig.
Motolite locals were also instrumental with Tots Carlos adding eight markers, setter Ayel Estrañero dishing out 21 excellent sets on top of eight digs, while Thang Ponce protected the floor with 26 excellent receptions and 11 digs.
Pacifictown-Army remained at third place despite dropping with a 3-3 win-loss record.
Lymareva-Flink carried the Lady Troopers with 25 points. Royse Tubino made a season-high 19 points, while other import Jordan and Jovelyn Gonzaga added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
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