Myla Pablo drops 26 versus BanKo, keeps Motolite’s bronze hopes alive

Motolite recovered from a heart-wrenching loss in Game One, thwarting the BanKo Perlas Spikers in four sets, 26-28, 25-14, 25-19, 25-17, in Game Two of the battle for third in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. 

Tied at 16 in the frenetic fourth frame, the Perlas Spikers saw their offense go adrift. Motolite then pounced on the opening as it zoomed to a 21-16 lead, courtesy of Tots Carlos’ blistering hit.

Though Carlos disrupted Motolite’s momentum after misfiring from the service area, her teammates came to the rescue. Jessma Ramos punched in a runner and restored order, before Isa Molde waxed hot with consecutive aces.

Main hitter Myla Pablo exploded for 26 points built on 24 attacks and a pair of blocks. She also pummeled the match-clinching blow that kept alive Motolite’s hopes of a podium finish.

Still, Motolite head coach Godfrey Okumu couldn’t help but lament a wasted opportunity in the opening salvo where they lost grip of set point and fell short in the deuce.

“The game was good. I just wish we should’ve won that first set, then we’ll be talking something different because after that first set, the scores was so low on our opponents. But now, we just got to keep our fingers crossed that Creamline goes down so that we have a rematch on Wednesday,” the Kenyan mentor said.

Carlos supplied 19 markers and nine excellent receptions, as Molde contributed 15 markers and 15 excellent digs. Aie Gannaban chimed in 11.

Motolite playmaker Iris Tolenada delivered 25 excellent sets. Defensive specialist Ayel Estrañero collected 17 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.

On the other hand, the Perlas Spikers leaned on the troika of Nicole Tiamzon, Sue Roces, and Kathy Bersola in a losing cause.

Banko skipper Tiamzon topped her team with 12 points coupled with 11 excellent receptions. Roces and Bersola had 11 markers apiece. Dzi Gervacio managed seven points and 14 excellent digs.

In case Petro Gazz forces a rubber match against Creamline in Game Two of the championship series later in the day, a Game Three in the battle for third will transpire on Wednesday, November 13 at the same venue. Otherwise, a quotient system will determine the victor.