After a see-saw start to the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, the Perlas Spikers have finally scored two straight wins, nixing the Power Smashers in three sets, 27-25, 26-24, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Both teams played their imports for the first time this season, and the action was tense from the start. Perlas rallied back from a 21-24 deficit in the first set and took the early win thanks to clutch hits from Brazilian Rupia Inck.
Perlas were then on the other side of a comeback in the second set, as the Power Smashers trimmed their four-point lead and force a deuce. But late miscues from the younger Power Smashers players buoyed Perlas to a 2-0 sets lead. By the third set, the Power Smashers drifted off and allowed Perlas to surge ahead permanently, 21-14.
Inck, who is campaigning in the Philippines for the second time, burst for 19 points off 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Skipper Dzi Gervacio added 11 markers.
“They (the imports) were definitely a big help because we needed players in the positions they filled in,” said Gervacio about open hitter Inck and Japanese setter Naoko Hashimoto.
“We’ve been very excited to play with our imports from the day they arrived. Getting a chance to play with them today really energized the team,” the team captain added.
Perlas improved to a 5-3 record for third in the standings.
Power Smashers Thai imports Kannika Thipachot and Hyapa Amporn tallied 16 and 11 points, respectively.
After a hot start, the Power Smashers succumbed to a 3-4 slate.
The Scores
Perlas (3) – Inck 19, Gervacio 11, Roces 9, Ahomiro 6, Bersola 6, Hashimoto 6, Villanueva 0, Acevedo (L), De Jesus (L)
Power Smashers (0) – Tipachot 16, Amporn 13, Prado 8, Pacres 6, Villegas 4, Bicar 1, Arocha 0, Guillema 0, Galang (L)
