After spiraling down the standings, the Tacloban Fighting Warays arrested their four-match losing streak to end their PVL Open Conference first round campaign strong, thwarting the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 15-9, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Tacloban battled back after dropping the first set and crumbling late in the fourth set. The Fighting Warays’ precise serving and stout floor defense spelled the difference in the fifth set, as they nailed three aces in the decider.
Arellano University standout Jovielyn Prado closed out the match for Tacloban, scoring three of their last four points and making terrific defensive plays in between her attacks.
“Lahat naman ng player ko mapagkakatiwalaan, lalo na si Prado kasi beterano talaga, champion player din,” said Tacloban head coach Nes Pamilar about the two-time NCAA champion, who tallied 16 points and 25 excellent receptions.
Dimdim Pacres led all scorers with 21 points, while Far Eastern University standout Heather Guino-O managed 16.
Tacloban settle for a 3-4 record to end the first round.
Jeanette Panaga topped the Lady Warriors with 19 points. Fellow middle blocker Del Palomata added 16.
Pocari Sweat (3-3) will try to end the elimination above .500 against the league-leading BanKo-Perlas Spikers (5-1), tomorrow at the Baliwag Star Arena.
The Scores
Tacloban (3) – Pacres 21, Guino-O 16, Prado 16, Negrito 8, Marzan 7, Delos Reyes 5, Alvarez 3, Esguerra 2, Guillema 0, Luzon 0, Velez 0, Galang (L), Ibisa (L)
Pocari Sweat-Air Force (2) – Panaga 19, Palomata 16, Pablo 16, Yongcon 10, Pantino 5, Kasilag 4, Cases 1, Cabalsa 0, Balmaceda (L), Tempiatura (L)
