After absorbing four straight losses, the BanKo Perlas Spikers mustered a come-from-behind win against erstwhile league-leading PayMaya High Flyers, 18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-22, 15-12, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Dropping the first two sets, BanKo looked en route to a fifth straight losses until they made key lineup adjustments. Slotting in Nicole Tiamzon as an open hitter and moving Thai import Jutarat Montripilia into opposite spiker.
The move immediately revitalized BanKo as they scored the next two sets. The decider came down to a late run. With PayMaya import Tess Rountree scorching two straight points to come within one 12-11, Tiamzon and Kia Bright scored on the next two plays to gain match point. Reeling in another long rally, PayMaya surrendered their second loss off a Jerilli Malabanan attack error.
“‘Yung past losses namin, winnable naman talaga. Kailangan namin ‘yung panalo na ‘to kasi bumababa na talaga ‘yung morale ng mga players. Good to see na may ganito na kaming laban,” said Perlas head coach Dong Dela Cruz.
Bright finished with 25 points while Montripilia added 24. Tiamzon had 11 markers in three sets of play.
BanKo (2-3) ends their first round against Iriga-Navy (1-3) on June 3.
Rountree tallied 39 points off 31 attacks, five blocks, and three aces. Middle blocker Shelby Sullivan managed 13 markers
PayMaya (3-2) takes on Petro Gazz (2-3) on June 2.
The Scores
BanKo (3) – Bright 25, Montripilia 24, Tiamzon 11, Ahomiro 6, Dacoron 4, Roces 4, Emnas 3, Ferrer 2, Devanadera 1, Villanueva 0, De Jesus (L), Tan (L)
PayMaya (2) – Rountree 39, Sullivan 13, Malabanan 11, Domingo 9, Soltones 4, Nabor 1, Singh 1, Cayuna 0, Urdas 0, Pantone (L)
