PLDT Home TVolution settled for another third place finish as beat league newcomer AirAsia, 25-17, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, on Saturday in the Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Conference at Cuneta Astrodome.
Team captain Sue Roces came up with 16 points, while Charo Soriano and Lou Ann Latigay added 14 and 12, respectively, for the Power Attackers.
PLDT also placed third in the PSL Grand Prix last year, and coach Roger Gorayeb said there's nothing wrong with being No. 3.
“Basta nasa top four ok na, syempre mas maganda sa Finals,” said the veteran mentor. “Pero wala naman problema, kahit back-to-back-to-back-to-back na third place pa. Masaya ako dito, masaya ako.”
The Power Attackers were ahead, 22-15, in the fourth when the Flying Spikers made it interesting with an 8-0 run to snatch the lead 23-22.
PLDT earned two points courtesy of Wensh Tiu's back-to-back errors and Maru Banaticla sealed the win for the Power Attackers with a sleek move, pushing the ball with just enough force to bounce it off AirAsia defenders’ arms and out of the playing court.
Although he said he was happy with the result, Gorayeb noted that the match didn’t have to be that close and that the Power Attackers still have the tendency to relax when in the lead.
“Minsan kailangan pagtutuktukan ’tong mga players ko eh,” said Gorayeb. “Pero hindi lang naman mga players ko eh, kahit ibang players, pag malaki na ang lamang bumibitaw.”
Stephanie Mercado came with 15, while Abi Marano added 10 for AirAsia.
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