After stumbling in their first two meetings, the PLDT Home Fibr Ultra Fast Hitters mustered their first win, outlasting fellow powerhouse Cignal HD Spikers, 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-23, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
PLDT leaned on high-scoring duo Mark Alfafara and Johnvic De Guzman to score crucial points in the first two sets’ crucial moments. The duo, however, were stifled in the third set’s prolonged deuce, with Alfafara giving two crucial errors that allowed Cignal to extend the match.
The Power Hitters established a 23-20 lead in the fourth frame, but nearly allowed another win to slip away. Marck Espejo and Wendel Miguel converted hits in transition to cut the deficit to one, 23-22. PLDT then ended a long rally with a Johnvic De Guzman block on Espejo to get first crack at match point. Scrambling the end the match, PLDT found Henry Pecaña for a cross-court hit to clinch the win.
Following two rocky losses to start the season, PLDT head coach Odjie Mamon feels he has found his winning lineup.
“Siguro it just came down to chemistry. We found our proper gelling ng team and we had time to prepare din for Cignal,” said Mamon.
Alfafara finished with 29 points, while De Guzman added 21.
Espejo topped the HD Spikers with 26 markers, while fellow former Ateneo Blue Eagle Rex Intal added 14 points.
PLDT (1-2) take on Army (1-2) on May 26 at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Cignal (1-1) face Air Force (1-1) on May 27, also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
PLDT (3) – Alfafara 29, De Guzman 21, Pecaña 11, Sumagaysay 9, Franco 8, Villegas 1, Dela Vega 0, Vecina 0, Melgar (L)
Cignal (1) – Espejo 26, Intal 14, Marasigan 11, Bonono 7, Capate 3, Miguel 3, Torres 2, Villanueva 2, Polvorosa 0, Sto. Tomas 0, Montero (L)
