BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Black-Mamba Army handed PLDT its sixth straight loss, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here on Thursday night.
The Lady Troopers upped their standing to 2-3.
Entering the second technical timeout of the fourth set with just a two-point lead, Fe Emnas kick-started a 3-0 spurt to give Black Mamba-Army a 19-14 lead.
Eli Soyud trimmed it to just three but Royse Tubino and Ging Balse-Pabayo halted the run to extend the lead to six, 23-17, through back-to-back hits.
Jem Guttierez put the Lady Troopers at match-point but Soyud kept PLDT breathing.
Tubino eventually ended the match with a kill.
“Medyo shaky pero ang importante naipanalo namin ‘tong game na ‘to, otherwise wala na lubog na kami,” said Army head coach Kung Fu Reyes.
“Pero yun na nga, dahil tinrabaho, although may mga error pero nakakabalik. Good thing meron kaming chance kasi lahat ng standings nagtatalunan sa ibabaw e so importante kung sino makarami ng panalo,” he added.
Tubino finished with 24 points and 20 excellent digs to lead the Army while Jovelyn Gonzaga chipped in 17 markers and nine excellent receptions in the win.
A total of 10 players registered at least a point for the Lady Troopers as steered the offense Sarah Gonzales with 24 excellent sets laced with a point.
After dropping the first set, Black Mamba-Army showed fine performances in the ensuing sets for the 2-1 advantage.
Jorelle Singh was once again the lone bright spot for the Power Hitters with 17 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
PLDT’s playoff chances are now dwindling down as they dropped to a league-worst 0-6 standing.
Both PLDT and Black Mamba-Army will return to action next week.