Pam Lastimosa and the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors shrugged off a lethargic start to stun the Foton Tornadoes, 13-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, and raise the curtains to their 2019 PSL Invitational campaign, Tuesday at the Bacoor Strike Gym.
Lastimosa took the bulk of the scoring for the Lady Realtors. She rained down 13 attacks, three kill blocks and three service aces while collecting 16 excellent digs.
Complimenting her in the scoring department were Amanda Villanueva, Rachel Austero, and MJ Phillips. The troika did their part for Sta. Lucia, dealing damage on all fronts. Villanueva pummeled all of her nine points via attacks. On the other hand, Austero was a force above the net, making three kill blocks en route to nine markers.
Meanwhile, Phillips — who missed the latter stage of Sta. Lucia’s campaign last conference due to personal reasons — announced her return. She had nine points with a pair of which coming from the service area.
Andrea Marzan supplied eight markers, while Sta. Lucia playmaker Rebecca Rivera tossed 13 excellent sets for the Lady Realtors, who won their first assignment in Group A.
“We’re trying to develop yung kanilang courage, patience tsaka yung sipag. Kanina may nakita akong development doon,” Sta. Lucia head coach Babes Castillo said.
“It’s a really good way to start nakita ko yung tatlong [qualities] na yun tapos nareward pa with a win,” he added.
On the other hand, the Tornadoes could not sustain their hot start in their first match without the towering presence of Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
Mina Aganon topped Foton with 15 points, spiked by four kill blocks and three service aces. CJ Rosario chipped in 11 attacks for 13 markers.
Justine Dorog contributed eight attacks and a block to finish with 11 points. She also tallied 17 excellent digs to post a double-double that went for naught. Shaya Adorador managed seven markers.
Meanwhile, EJ Laure made her Foton debut, coming in the match midway through the second set. She only played until the end of the said frame as she finished scoreless. Her sister, Eya — who is fresh off a bronze medal finish with the national team in the first leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix — was not present due to school responsibility.
Sta. Lucia next face the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters, while Foton will try to crack into the winner’s circle when they face the Cignal HD Spikers. Both matches will be played on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
