F2 Logistics gave new head coach Regine Diego a winning debut, turning back PLDT in five sets, 25-22, 25-21, 14-25, 20-25, 16-14 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Myla Pablo fired 21 points to go along with nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in her Cargo Movers debut while Kianna Dy, who nailed the game-winning hit, added 17 points built on 16 attacks.
“It feels like a championship but yeah, it was a good game. In this game we actually… at least we saw what we need to train more like kung saan kami nag-lack, saan kami magaling para next game maka-adjust kami agad,” said Diego right after the victory.
Down by one point in the fifth set, 13-14, Mean Mendrez, who went for the game-winning hit, was whistled for a net violation which locked the scores and gave the Cargo Movers the opportunity they needed to comeback.
With that, F2 Logistics capitalized with Aby Marano blocking Mika Reyes to push her side at match point. Dy then converted a backrow attack to steal the game.
“It’s really a good way para malaman namin kung ano yung mga challenges na mami-meet namin in the future and it’s a good way din para maka-adjust kami kung anong dapat naming gawin,” said Diego.
“But I’m happy ‘cause we won syempre and nakita ko rin kung gaano katapang yung mga players ko,” she added.
Middle blockers Aby Marano and Ivy Lacsina chipped in 11 and nine points, respectively, for F2 Logistics while Dawn Macandili collected a game-high 35 excellent digs along with 10 receptions.
The Cargo Movers started the game strong, taking the first two sets before falling short in the next two which allowed the High Speed Hitters to equalize the game and send it to five sets.
Reyes stepped up in the third frame, unloading five consecutive hits in PLDT’s 13-5 start that F2 Logistics failed to comeback from. They led by as much as 11 points in the set.
The High Speed Hitters carried their momentum come the fourth set and put up a 22-13 lead late after a Mendrez ace. The Cargo Movers fought back and fired four consecutive points, with two coming from Elaine Kasilag, to slice the lead to five.
That, however, proved to be it as Rhea Dimaculangan, Jovy Prado, and Reyes put on the finishing touches to send the game to a fifth set.
Prado led the way for PLDT with 17 points while Dell Palomata and Reyes added 16 and 15 points in the loss.
F2 Logistics will face off against Akari on Saturday, 6:30 PM while PLDT will take on Army-Black Mamba on February 16, also at 6:30 PM. Both games will be held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
