F2 Logistics moved on the cusp of a semis berth after sending Choco Mucho to the brink, 25-23, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22 in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena, Tuesday.
Kianna Dy fired a game-high 23 points on 19 attacks, two blocks, and two aces as the Cargo Movers bolstered their semis bid with a 5-2 win-loss record – good for second.
“Syempre happy kami kahit na cardiac-in nila ako every game, basta panalo. Syempre masaya kami doon, but hindi pa rin kami [dapat] maging complacent or mag-relax, kasi hindi pa tapos,” said F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego.
After failing to secure the win in three sets, the Cargo Movers turned a 14-17 disadvantage into an 18-17 lead after Aby Marano nailed three points in a 4-0 blast.
Both teams exchanged blows from there before Dy and Elaine Kasilag converted a cross-court attack and an off-the-block hit, respectively. That pushed their side to match point, 24-21. The 5-foot-2 opposite spiker then fired another cross-court attack to finish off the Flying Titans.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, we only stop when we’re done, not when we’re tired. So at least ready lahat all the time, ready lahat. Whatever is happening, ready lahat ng players inside,” Diego added.
Myla Pablo, who exited the game early in the fourth set due to cramps, finished with 15 points. Pablo dealt with a viral infection which caused her to miss the team’s previous training session.
Marano added 12 points and eight excellent digs.
Kim Fajardo dished out 22 excellent sets, while Dawn Macandili registered 23 excellent digs for F2 Logistics.
The Cargo Movers erased a 12-16 deficit in the opening set. They then unleashed a blistering 9-2 blast capped off by Dy’s back-to-back aces that put them ahead, 21-18. The Flying Titans closed the gap to one, 23-24, after Bea De Leon and Kat Tolentino powered a 3-0 spurt late.
Pablo completed the comeback with a cross-court attack.
Choco Mucho went toe to toe with F2 Logistics in the second set but Dy spearheaded the Cargo Movers pull away in the latter part en route to a 25-19 victory.
The Flying Titans brought the fight in the third set and raced to a 21-19 lead before a service error from Isa Molde halted their run. Maddie Madayag, De Leon, and Tolentino then spearheaded a 4-0 blast that forced a fourth set.
F2 Logistics’ victory booted both Akari and Cignal out of the playoffs race. The Chargers and the HD Spikers’ total points are not enough to get them into the top four. Both teams currently have five points.
Choco Mucho, who fell to 2-4 in the standings, is now a loss away from elimination. The Flying Titans must win its remaining games via sweep and hope that PLDT will lose the rest of its assignments by sweep as well.
De Leon paced the Flying Titans with 17 points on 14 attacks and three blocks. Meanwhile, Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively.
F2 Logistics will take on Army-Black Mamba next on Saturday, 4:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. On the other hand, Choco Mucho will face Chery Tiggo on Thursday, 6:30 PM at the Philsports Arena.
