The United Volleyball Club bagged their fifth win of the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after outlasting the Cignal HD Spikers, 14-25, 25-21, 25-21, 26-24, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Following a slow start, UVC got their groove in the following two sets. Trailing 13-16 in the fourth frame, UVC pulled off a late comeback thanks to their high-scoring trio Kalei Mau, Tai Manu-Olevao, and Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani. Manu-Olevao provided the crucial kill that forced a deuce, leading to hits from Mau to clinch the win.
“I’m proud of how the girls stayed composed. The girls talked among themselves, Yassi and Kalei were saying let’s throw that first set away forget about it,” UVC head coach Joshua Ylaya said about their slow start.
“We’re starting zero-zero again, that was a fluke. Let’s start anew and I’m glad that they responded right away,” the youthful mentor added.
Mau finished with 19 points. Manu-Olevao and Bedart-Ghani each provided 18 markers.
Erica Wilson powered the HD Spikers with 20 points while Ana Artemeva managed 12.
UVC (5-4) takes on Generika-Ayala’s (2-7) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Cignal HD (5-6) looks to regroup against Foton (1-8) also on Thursday.
The Scores
UVC (3) – Mau 19, Manu-Olevao 18, Bedart-Ghani 18, Robins-Hardy 3, Palec 3, Angustia 1, Palec 1, Ahomiro 0, Tiu 0, Pineda (L)
Cignal HD (1) – Wilson 20, Artemeva 12, Daquis 8, Paat 7, Musa 3, Masangkay 3, Navarro 3, Aguilar 0, Cardiente 0, Dionela (L)