Unlike Cignal’s past few games, import Tai Bierria started in Game One of the best-of-three Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Finals.
The American reinforcement led the HD Spikers in their 21-25, 25-27, 35-37 defeat to Petro Gazz with 18 points on 17 attacks.
However, Bierria only managed two points in the crucial marathon third set as she was on the bench for the majority of it.
She was only placed back on the floor when the scoreline hit 23-22 with Cignal ahead.
“I trust whatever Coach Shaq does,” said Bierria on her being on the bench at times.
“He’s my coach, I play for him so I don’t question any type of lineup, any type of substitutions,” added the 26-year-old guest player who’s had stints in Finland and France.
“I’m here to do my job, I’m here to do my role if that’s on the bench, if that’s on the court that’s what I’m gonna do.”
When she returned during the super extended third frame, Bierria could not finish her spikes as she was often denied by the Angels blockers.
Her hits that were clicking the first two sets were already read by Petro Gazz that set up the stage for a Lindsey Vander Weide domination down the stretch to finish with a career-best 34 points.
Bierria admitted that she was well-read in the third and she has to change her ways and keep looking for other options to stay effective.
“They scouted me. I definitely have to switch it up,” said the New Mexico University product.
“I think I was too safe to my usual shots that have been working all game. I feel like I’ve put together two decent sets but at some point I have to go against my norm especially at the end of that second set.”
With Game One already done and the HD Spikers’ backs are on the wall, Bierria has already been thinking about fightback come Game Two.
Bierria and Cignal look to bounce back on Tuesday, 5:30 pm, at the Philsports Arena and send the series to a do-or-die Game Three.
“I think there are things that we usually are pretty solid on like blocking or serve even I think our serve receive passing wasn’t as clean as it usually is,” shared Bierria.
“We clean those things up and it’s a much better game in my opinion. Just cleaning up those things in the next couple practices and going at it Tuesday.”
