Behind by two sets, the United Volleyball Club found their groove and leaned on captain Kalei Mau to finish off the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 12-25, 15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-9, in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
After two dismal sets to open the match, UVC found the right mix on the court in the third frame, slotting in Shar Manu-Olevao, who arrived late Friday evening. The rejuvenated UVC took all the momentum from there, picking off the dazed Lady Realtors.
The fifth set wound to an 8-all draw, setting up Mau’s heroics. The Fil-American spiker powered in seven straight points, including the match-clinching smash past two Lady Realtors.
Mau and import Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani each finished with 22 points. Olevao added eight markers, and head coach Joshua Ylaya credited her as the difference-maker.
“Having her (Olevao) there allowed us to have another threat on the wings. She gave us a really good advantage,” said Ylaya who picked up his first win as a head coach.
Casey Schoenlein topped the Lady Realtors with 19 points, while fellow import Molly Lohman added 17.
UVC (1-1) next take on the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (0-0) next Tuesday at the same venue. Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia (1-1) also face the Cargo Movers on Thursday.
The Scores
UVC (3) – Bedart-Ghani 22, Mau 22, Manu-Olevao 8, Tiu 4, Robins-Hardy 3, Angustia 2, Palec 2, Ahomiro 1, Tejada 1, Barroga 0, Pineda (L)
Sta. Lucia (2) – Schoenleon 19, Lohman 17, Lastimosa 14, Villanueva 11, Austero 7, Rivera 3, De Leon 1, Maraguinot 0, Raslan 0, Catindig (L)
