The Tacloban Fighting Warays ended the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference elimination round with a gutsy five-set win over the Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors, 25-17, 17-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-10, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
After trading sets with Pocari Sweat, Tacloban quickly jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the decider. Myla Pablo tried to keep the Lady Warriors close, swinging in hits that trimmed Tacloban’s lead down to two, 8-10. The Fighting Warays, however, unloaded a decisive run, capped by hits from Jovie Prado and Shola Alvarez to take the win.
“Unang-una medyo high morale ‘yung mga players, ang ina-ano ko lang kasi, ‘di ba nagpalit kami ng player? So ‘yung adjustment and teamwork kailangan mabuo ulit,” said Tacloban head coach Nes Pamilar.
“Kanina sa second set and fourth set, ni-remind ko sila na bakit ganoon kapag nananalo ng isang set nagre-relax? Kaya noong fifth set sabi ko kailangan mabago natin, kailangan itong fifth set all-out tayo,” the veteran mentor furthered.
Hyapa Amporn led Tacloban with 19 points, while Prado finished with 18. The Fighting Warays finished the elimination round with a 4-3 record, heading into the round robin quarterfinals.
Pablo topped all scorers with 20 markers, while Arielle Love managed 15 for the Lady Warriors, who fell to a 3-4 record.
The Scores
Tacloban (3) – Amporn 19, Prado 18, Saengmuang 15, Guino-O 5, Negrito 4, Alvarez 2, Esguerra 2, Marzan 2, Abil 0, Rodriguez 0, Galang (L)
Pocari Sweat-Air Force (2) – Pablo 20, Love 15, Palmer 14, Panaga 11, Palomata 4, Andaya 2, Papa 1, Yongco 1, Racraquin 0, Balmaceda (L), Tempiatura (L)
