Digging deep following a disastrous start, the PayMaya High Flyers outlasted the BanKo Perlas Spikers, 22-25, 14-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-12, in Game Three of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinals at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
“Para kaming batang paslit kanina doon, nalaglagan lang kami ng bola,” rued Roger Gorayeb as his High Flyers lost the first two sets in disappointing fashion.
Needing to rally his troops, Gorayeb heeded his players to support their high-scoring import.
“Simple lang kasi ‘yung mga players ko. Gusto lang talaga lumaro. Kailangan lang talaga namin ‘yung mga locals namin. Hindi pwedeng isa lang ‘yung gagawa sa amin kahit magaling ‘yung import namin,” the decorated mentor added.
PayMaya dominated the third set then erased a 22-23 deficit in the fourth frame to drag the match into a decider. American Tess Rountree scored eight points in the fifth set, including thrice in a decisive run that gave PayMaya an 8-4 lead. BanKo tried to rally back, coming within two points several times. But, Rountree and Grethcel Soltones provided just enough offense to stave off the Perlas Spikers in the endgame.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na they just have to play their best. No matter what happens, we need to play our game; the type of game that we can hold our heads high when we walk out of here,” Gorayeb declared.
Rountree finished with her second highest output of the season, tallying 35 points while Soltones added 16.
PayMaya takes on Creamline in the best-of-three Finals which begins on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Kia Bright muscled in a tournament-best 41 points while Thai import Jutarat Montripilia managed 18 markers.
The Scores
PayMaya (3) – Rountree 35, Soltones 16, Sullivan 8, Domingo 4, Nabor 4, Urdas 3, Malabanan 2, Sta. Rita 2, Cayuna 0, Eroa (L), Pantone (L)
BanKo (2) – Bright 41, Montripilia 18, Tiamzon 9, Ahomiro 4, Dacoron 3, Emnas 1, Ferrer 1, Roces 1, Gervacio 0, De Jesus (L), Tan (L)
