F2 Logistics opened its Premier Volleyball League 2022 Open Conference campaign with a four-set victory over Black Mamba-Army, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22, Wednesday at the Paco Arena and Sports Center.
And the Cargo Movers did it without the presence of their head coach Ramil De Jesus.
Kianna Dy top-scored for the debuting Cargo Movers with 20 points off 15 attacks, four blocks, and an ace.
F2 Logistics previously opted to skip the league’s Open Conference in Ilocos Norte last July due to injuries.
The victory gives F2 Logistics the early lead in a stacked Pool A/ Their group has the likes of defending champion Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho, and Cignal.
After exchanging errors prior to the second technical timeout of the fourth set, Aby Maraño and Ara Galang delivered consecutive hits. That pushed the Cargo Movers to a slim 19-17 lead.
Majoy Baron then denied Jeanette Villareal to extend the advantage to three points.
Maraño and Villareal exchanged service errors, before Joannne Bunag and Ging Balse-Pabayo scored consecutively to trim the lead to one.
Another rejection, from Baron this time at Bunag, followed by a hit from Kianna Dy placed F2 ahead by three, 23-20.
A quick from Baron put the Cargo Movers at match-point. Dy ended the match despite two consecutive hits from Army.
“Of course, we haven’t played against Army, so you know Army is very tight on the defense. And then marami silang player na mga bago na naka-contribute, especially sa atake. So we just held on,” said F2 assistant coach Benson Bocboc, who filled in for De Jesus as he was still in La Salle’s bubble.
“It’s our first game so naggagamay pa tayo e, so everyone is building connection pa with the team,” he added.
After scoring a complete stomp in the opener, F2 Logistics had to fight off a pesky Army squad in the second set to put up a commanding 2-0 series advantage.
The Lady Troopers leaned on the spark provided by Ging Balse-Pabayo and Royse Tubino. They edged out the Cargo Movers in the third set to extend their life.
The last time F2 Logistics dropped a game was back on August 10, 2019 against PLDT. Currently, the team is on a 12-game winning streak. This is also the first time that F2 Logistics dropped a set since the Game One of the 2019 PSL All Filipino Conference on August 24.
Ara Galang added 11 points and 15 digs in the win. Meanwhile, Baron and Maraño chipped in 10 and nine markers, respectively, for the Cargo Movers.
Iris Tolenada steered the offense for F2 Logistics with 27 excellent sets laced with two points. Dawn Macandili manned the floor with 19 digs and eight receptions.
On the other hand, Army was led by Tubino with 18 points. Morente had an all-around performance, collecting nine points, 17 digs, and seven excellent receptions.
Anngela Bunag had 28 digs and 17 receptions.
F2 Logistics will go up against Chery Tiggo next on Friday at 6:00 PM while while Army. Meanwhile, Army will also take on the defending champions on Tuesday at 6:00 PM.
