Fourbees-Cavite Lady Altas overcame a sluggish performance to edge out Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Lady Dolphins in five sets, 25-16, 19-25, 25-22, 26-28, and 15-11, in the preliminary stages of Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Open Conference this afternoon at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Altas displayed dominant volleyball right in the opening set as they surged to post an eight-point lead, 20-12, behind the offensive outburst of Jamel Suyat and Shallane Eniong. PCG scored three straight points, capped by a Mary Rosale quick attack, to narrow the gap to within five, 20-15. But their would-be comeback to snatch the first set fell short, as Fourbees-Cavite ignited a 5-1 scoring spree to close out the set, 25-16.
Things went different for Fourbees-Cavite come the second frame of the match, as they succumbed to strings of errors that compromised their level of play. Their rusty movement on the court helped the Lady Dolphins to pacify the Lady Altas’ offense, not letting the latter to post huge leads. Hence, PCG capitalized and posted a five-point lead at the near-end of the set, 22-17, as Decie Ann Montero nailed a quick hit. After a few rallies, Fourbees-Cavite inched within four, 23-19, but their unforced errors cost them the set. A net ball from Suyat led PCG to match point, 24-19, and an open hit by Rossan Fajardo closed the set for the orange-clad volleybelles, 25-19.
Coast Guard started well in the third set, sustaining the momentum they had from the previous set. However, errors on their side started to pile up, letting Fourbees-Cavite equalize midway up to the latter part of the set. From a 17-all tie, five more deadlocks occurred, but Fourbees-Cavite pulled away to score three straight points from a 22-all knot, with the last two points coming from Suyat’s back-to-back open hits, to grab the third set, 25-22, and post a 2-1 set lead.
The fourth set started in favor of Fourbees-Cavite as they posted a nine-point lead, 16-7, despite the errors they committed. But despite the huge lead, the Lady Altas was unable to sustain it for long, as PCG was able to close within three, 18-15, behind Fajardo, Rosale, and Kath Magsumbol’s services and attacks. After a few more rallies, the Lady Altas saw themselves at match point, 24-21.
Fourbees-Cavite could not close the set and the match, enabling PCG to send the match into a 24-all deadlock after a drop ball from Magsumbol. Both teams exchanged points during rallies, until Coast Guard scored two straight points from a 26-all tie, thus sending the match into the fifth and final set.
Not to be outdone, Fourbees-Cavite regained composure in the fifth set as Suyat, Eniong, Marijo Medalla, and Ana Diocareza provided enough firepower to clinch the set, 15-11, and the match, 3-2.
Suyat led all scorers with 24 big points coming from 20 spikes. Medalla supplied 15 points, three of which were service aces. Diocareza and Eniong each had 14 and 10, respectively. Fajardo led Coast Guard with 18 points in a losing effort. Magsumbol and Rosale scored 12 points apiece, while Montero and Arnie Yumul each had 10.
Fourbees-Cavite Assistant Coach Michael Molino attributed the players’ sluggish performance with their playing conditions. “Nagpahinga ng mahaba yung players nitong Holy Week at exams, kaya ‘di pa rin sila nakakarecover,” said Molino.
Fourbees-Cavite will face Philippine Navy Lady Sailors next Thursday, April 16, also at the same venue.
The scores:
Fourbees-Perpetual (3) – Versoza 24, Medalla 15, Diocareza 14, Eniong 10, Cabriana 9, Abcede 9, Imbo 3, Condada L
Coas Guard (2) – Fajardo 18, Magsumbol 12, Rosale 12, Montero 10, Yumul 10, Espelita 3, Valencia 1, Acepcion L
