Pulling 28 points from Thai import Hyapa Amporn, the Tacloban Fighting Warays survived a nip-and-tuck contest with the BanKo-Perlas Spikers, 25-27, 28-26, 19-25, 25-23, for their second win in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Amporn’s 28 points came from 25 attacks and three blocks, most of which came in the crucial portions of each set.
Tacloban head coach Nes Pamilar knew his team needed to play near-perfect volleyball to quell BanKo’s fiery offense.
“‘Yung inensayo namin, ‘yung game plan, halos talagang 90 percent nasunod. Kaya nga sabi ko kanina yung umpisa naman parang naging breaks lang yung pagkatalo,” said Pamilar.
“Ang advice ko lang, ang paalala ko sa kanila, ‘yung inensayo natin, yun na yun lang ang mangyayari. So nasunod lahat, yung game plan namin, yung pano ba-blockin yung import nila pati yung rotation namin. Nakinig naman yung players,” the decorated mentor pointed out.
Each set went down to the wire, with Tacloban only winning comfortably in the third set. With the fourth frame turning into a back-and-forth duel, Tacloban found two straight attacks from Jovielyn Prado to take a 24-22 lead. After a Joy Dacoron runner, Prado again popped in for a hit past two blockers.
Two-time NCAA champion Prado finished with 16 points, while Sasiwimol Sangpan added 10.
Jutarat Montripilia managed 22 points while Kia Bright provided 19 markers for BanKo.
The Fighting Warays take on the Bali Pure Water Defenders (1-1) on Saturday at Batangas. Perlas (1-2) try to snap their losing skid on Sunday against the winless PertroGazz (0-3).
The Scores
Tacloban (3) – Amporn 28, Prado 16, Sangpan 10, Negrito 9, Alvarez 6, Guino-O 4, Marzan 3, Abil 1, Galang (L)
BanKo-Perlas (1) – Montripilia 22, Bright 16, Dacoron 9, Ahomiro 7, Roces 7, Gervacio 5, Ferrer 1, Villanueva 1, De Jesus (L)
