Tots Carlos flashed her all-around brilliance and powered Motolite’s quelling of the surging Petro Gazz Angels, 22-25, 25-13, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11, to fuel their semis bid in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Carlos churned out a triple-double performance, spearheaded by 20 points built on 17 attacks and a troika of kill blocks. She also flaunted her defensive wares with 21 excellent digs and 15 excellent digs.
Motolite remain in the Final Four race with an 8-5 record for joint-third place.
“To us today was one of those do-or-die games. Like if we lose this game, then maybe say bye-bye to the semifinals. By winning this game, we kept our hopes alive to make it to the Final Four. It’s a big relief,” Motolite head coach Godfrey Okumu said. “It was a hard game. Petro Gazz is [a] very, very good and experienced team.”
When momentum swung on a frantic pace in the decisive fifth frame, Carlos capitalized on Paneng Mercado’s consecutive net touch infractions. She hammered down a backrow attack, giving Motolite a three-point, 11-8 cushion.
The UP Lady Maroon then followed it up sequences later. She nailed the final blow at the critical juncture of the match that put an end to the Angels’ eight-game winning streak.
Aie Gannaban and Bern Flora chimed in 10 and nine points, respectively. Gannaban also anchored above the net with half of her team’s dozen blocks, while Flora rained down a pair of service aces. Isa Molde supplied 12 markers from 11 attacks.
Myla Pablo came off the bench in the fourth frame but did not play in the decider. Still, she managed seven markers. Motolite playmaker Fhem Emnas tossed 24 excellent sets, while Thang Ponce manned the floor with 22 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
Meanwhile, the Angels saw their blistering winning momentum come to a screeching halt. Still, they remain perched on the solo second spot with a 9-3 slate.
Jonah Sabete wounded up with a well-rounded outing of her own. She topped Petro Gazz with 14 points, while collecting 19 excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions.
Kai Baloaloa and Jeanette Panaga added 11 and 10 markers, respectively. The former tallied eight attacks, while the latter had four service aces and a pair of blocks. Mercado contributed nine points, as Cherry Nunag chipped in seven.
Jovie Prado flirted with a triple-double of seven markers to go along with 15 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs. Petro Gazz setter Chie Saet dished out 17 excellent sets in a losing cause.
Motolite look to further propel their semis bid when they face the Bali Pure Water Defenders on Saturday, October 12, at the same venue. On the other hand, Petro Gazz prepare for a rematch with PVL Reinforced Conference finalists Creamline Cool Smashers the day after in Bacolod City.
