BACOOR CITY — Pam Lastimosa lifted Sta. Lucia to take down Foton, 13-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, and jumpstart its Pool A campaign on a high note in the Philippine Superliga Invitationals on Tuesday at the Bacoor Strike Gym.
Lastimosa unleashed 19 points as the Lady Realtors overcame a poor start before pouncing on the Tornadoes, who played without sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat due to their respective Japan V.Premier League stints.
The former University of Santo Tomas star delivered the killer blows in the fourth set and finished with 13 kills, three aces and three blocks including 16 digs to lead the balanced-attack of Sta. Lucia.
Amanda Villanueva, Rachel Austero and MJ Phillips chipped in nine points each, while Andrea Marzan added eight markers.
Sta. Lucia head coach Babes Castillo was all praise for the tandem of Lastimosa and Villanueva, who showed the way for the teeam.
“Pam and Amanda are the most consistent, most reliable and most dedicated players ng Sta. Lucia,” said Castillo. “Since day one, to tell you the truth, wala pa ngang absent yung dalawang yan. I’m so happy kasi nakita ko sila talaga yung nagdala.”
Castillo is eyeing a better finish for the Lady Realtors this season-ending conference after a pair of 2-12 finishes both in the Grand Prix and All Filipino Conference.
“We’re trying to develop yung kanilang courage, patience tsaka yung sipag,” he said. “It’s a really good way to start nakita ko yung tatlong (qualities) na yun tapos nareward pa with a win.”
Mina Aganon powered Foton with 15 points off eight attacks, four blocks and three aces in a losing cause, while CJ Rosario and Justine Dorog had 13 and 11 markers, respectively.