Fresh off a five-set loss to Cignal last Tuesday, the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters made a quick return to the win column after ripping the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, 25-23, 14-25, 25-15, 25-18, in the 2019 All-Filipino Conference, Thursday evening.
“Noong nakaraang laro namin talo kami dun five sets. Bumabalik na yung service reception namin. Yun naman talaga problema namin, hindi kami makaatake kasi wala kaming receive,” PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb said, as his wards netted 41 excellent receptions to Generika-Ayala’s 31.
Moreover, though the Power Hitters surrendered 28 points from errors to the Lifesavers’ 18, they made up for it with their blocking and aces. The former generated seven blocks and four aces to the latter’s three and three, respectively.
Czarina Carandang topped her team in scoring. She tallied 13 points spiked by two blocks and an ace.
PLDT skipper Jerrili Malabanan and Aiko Urdas supplied 12 points each. The latter contributed 14 excellent digs.
Grethcel Soltones dispersed another all-around performance. She notched 10 points laced with 20 excellent receptions. Lizlee Pantone protected the floor for her team with 31 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions.
Despite the win, the Power Hitters remain seated at sixth spot with a 5-8 card.
On the other hand, the Lifesavers continue to play without Angeli Araneta. The Generika-Ayala skipper suffered a partial ACL tear and MCL sprain in their match against F2 Logistics.
Fiola Mae Ceballos stepped up anew in lieu of their injured captain. She finished with a game-high 16 points — off 15 attacks and a block — to go along with 16 excellent difs and 11 excellent receptions to complete a triple-double outing that, unfortunately, went for naught.
Mean Mendrez managed 10 markers from eight attacks and two aces for the Lifesavers, who now possess an 8-6 record.
PLDT will try to end its preliminary campaign on a positive note when it faces the F2 Logistics on Saturday at the Corpus Christi Gymnasium in Cagayan De Oro City.
