Behind the duo of Dzi Gervacio and Nicole Tiamzon, the BanKo Perlas Spikers fended off the Petro Gazz Angels, 25-20, 11-25, 25-21, 25-18, to jumpstart their campaign the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference, Sunday.
From a precarious 19-18 lead in the fourth set, the Perlas Spikers took their turn punishing the opposition in a plethora of ways to mount a comfortable cushion. They also clamped down on defense, keeping the Angels scoreless in a 6-0 closing run to cruise to the win.
Eight players chalked up a point for BanKo. Dzi Gervacio led all scorers with 14 points to go along with 17 excellent receptions.
BanKo skipper Nicole Tiamzon supplied 12 markers built on nine attacks and three aces. Sue Roces and Kath Bersola had nine markers each, while Ella De Jesus managed eight markers.
Jem Ferrer dished out 17 excellent sets on top of two points.
“Malaking bagay yun na nag-jell ang team. ‘Di agad-agad nakukuha yun, pero good positive vibes at malaking bagay sa amin yun sa kumpyansa ng team kahit na maraming bago,” Tiamzon said.
Though they controlled the tempo in each of the sets they’ve secured, the Perlas Spikers struggled to make things happen in the second set.
After bagging the opening salvo, BanKo floundered in the ensuing one, as Petro Gazz snatched momentum. The latter then uncorked a searing spree in the second frame to hand the former a 14-point drubbing.
“Sakit ni Perlas, mahina ‘pag side-out agad. Dapat kami mag-reset, ‘di pwede magtuloy-tuloy yun. We had to go back sa feeling ng first set namin,” Tiamzon added.
On the other hand, Petro Gazz leaned on new pickup Jovie Prado on both offense and defense. She tallied 13 points laced with 13 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Jeanette Panaga chipped 10 markers spiked by two blocks and two aces. Cherry Nunag and Steph Mercado added nine markers each, while Jonah Sabete provided eight points.
BanKo will try to book their second victory when they take on Air Force on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Petro Gazz will have a week to prepare to bounce back when they face Bali Pure on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
