The Power Smashers kept the door open for a trip straight to the semifinals with a four-set win over the struggling Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, 25-23, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Despite the win, however, Power Smashers head coach Nes Pamilar was disappointed with how his wards had executed on the court.
“Parang hindi ako satisfied sa ginalaw ng mga players. Parang ag gulo-gulo. Sabi ko nga, bakit parang ineasy-easy? Ang kalaban, parang alam nilang kakayanin nila kaya nagrelax. Di puwedeng ganyan. Tapos maraming insturction na di nasusunod. Sabi ko doon tayo magusap sa dugout mamaya,” Pamilar said.
Throughout the match, the Power Smashers struggled to build sizable leads. When they had a four-point edge in the fourth set, 22-18, the young Power Smashers allowed Air Force to crawl back and force a 22-all tie. Thanks to clutch hits and blocks from Jovielyn Prado and import Kannika Thipachot, the Power Smashers still emerged with the win by the slimmest of margins.
Thipachot tallied a game-high 23 points, while fellow Thai reinforcement Hyapa Amporn added 11 markers.
With a 5-4 record, the Power Smashers can still make a top two seed if either Pocari Sweat (6-3) or Bali Pure (6-2) lose their remaining matches.
Patcharee Saengmuang managed 21 points to lead Air Force, while Angel Antipuesto added 11 markers.
Air Force stumbled to a league-worst 1-8 record.
The Scores
Power Smashers (3) – Tipachot 23, Amporn 11, Prado 10, Marzan 9, Arocha 5, Pacres 5, Bicar 0, Guillema 0, Sta. Rita 0, Galang (L)
Air Force (1) – Saengmuang 21, Antipuesto 11, Cases 9, Semana 8, Tapic 8, Yongco 7, Pantino 0, Abanto (L), Balmaceda (L)
