BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — The Aiko Urdas-led PLDT fought back in the third set to dispatch fellow also-ran BaliPure in three sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-19, for its second-straight win in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center.
The Power Hitters improved their standing to 2-6.
“Kailangan talaga namin para bumalik ‘yung confidence nila. Saka maganda para sa isang bagong form na team ‘yung nagpapanalo kami ng ganito. Maganda ‘yung nilaro, masaya ako,” said PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb.
PLDT climbed from eight points down in the third set to take a 23-19 advantage off consecutive hits from Aiko Urdas.
An error from the side of the Water Defenders put the Power Hitters at match-point. A block from Rhea Dimaculangan on Bern Flora ended the match.
PLDT ended the match with an outstanding 15-1 rally.
“Sabi ko sa kanila una ‘wag nating laruin ‘yung laro ng BaliPure. Kasi ‘yung mga first two sets, lamang kami malalayo, tapos nung third set nabaliktad. Hindi puwedeng bababa kayo, dapat tatlong 25 points para manalo,” added Gorayeb.
Jorelle Singh led the offensive attack with 16 points, but it was Dimaculangan who steered it with 24 excellent sets laced with 12 excellent digs and four points.
Urdas and Chin Basas chipped in seven markers each. Alyssa Eroa manned the floor with 28 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Graze Bombita had nine points for BaliPure along with nine digs.
Geneveve Casugod and Gyra Barroga, meanwhile, contributed seven points each.
The Water Defenders — who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat — dropped to a 2-6 slate.
PLDT will next face Cignal tomorrow, Friday at 7:00 PM. On the other hand, BaliPure will go up against Perlas on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
