After absorbing two straight losses, the Chooks-to-Go-backed Tacloban Fighting Warays found their winning form after sweeping the Iriga-Navy Oragons, 25-20, 25-22, 27-25, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Tacloban made a crucial import change, bringing in veteran Patcharee Saengmuang in place of Sinistria Sangpan, who — according to head coach Nes Pamilar — was experiencing homesickness.
“Malaking bagay na nakapag-contribute agad siya. Nandiyan naman siya, nakiki-ensayo na sa team ever since kaya okay talaga siya,” said Pamilar.
Saengmuang scored 11 points and had nine digs, making crucial plays in the tight third set, which turned into a deuce.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, hindi pa tayo tapos pero nagre-relax-relax na. Lamang ng ilang points, ‘yun na naman, ‘yung dating sakit bumabalik na naman,” added Pamilar. “‘Yung first ball nawawala na naman. Pinaalala ko lang yung nangyari sa amin nung last game namin, dun kami natalo. Yung mali namin, first ball lagi.”
Hyapa Amporn led the Fighting Warays with 18 points. Heather Guino-O added eight.
Macy Ubben led Iriga with 20 points while Lauren Whyte added 13.
Tacloban (3-3) end the elimination round against the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors (3-3) on June 3. Iriga-Navy (1-4) face the BanKo Perlas Spikers (2-3), also on June 3.
The Scores
Tacloban (3) – Amporn 18, Saengmuang 11, Guino-O 8, Prado 5, Esguerra 3, Alvarez 2, Abil 1, Guillema 1, Negrito 1, Galang (L), Panteleon (L)
Iriga-Navy (0) – Ubben 20, Whyte 13, Acuna 5, Madulid 3, Cabriana 2, Serafica 2, Bombita 1, Eguia 1, Kim 1, Ticar (L)
