F2 Logistics overcame a slow start to take Game One of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference battle for bronze, 20-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 against PLDT at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday evening.
Kianna Dy posted a game-high 20 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to lead while Aby Marano fired 19 points on 14 attacks and five big blocks to help the Cargo Movers turnback the High Speed Hitters after two hours and nine minutes of action.
Ara Galang, meanwhile, played her best game so far this conference and registered a game-high six blocks to spearhead F2 Logistics’ block party that saw them tally a conference-high 18 blocks.
Galang ended up with 13 points, her highest output in this tournament, with 18 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions.
After losing the first set, F2 Logistics rose back from the dead and took the next three to complete its fight back against a PLDT squad that took Petro Gazz to three games in the semis.
Ahead by just two in the fourth frame, 17-15, Galang fired two aces in a quick five-to-nothing spurt that allowed the Cargo Movers to pull away from the High Speed Hitters and get the win.
F2 Logistics also received a huge boost with former head coach Ramil De Jesus making his first appearance on the sidelines after skipping the team’s first two conferences.
“Syempre okay yun kasi at least, you know, mabilis mapabago, nakakadjust agad sila.
Syempre, it’s better if they take the advantage agad sa start, ganyan, but syempre naka-help lalo si Coach Ramil kasi andoon siya, ginanahan sila, so, and also ginuide niya ako through the game. So I’m very happy that he’s back,” said Cargo Movers head coach Regine Diego.
On the other hand, Jules Samonte, who stepped up for the injured Mean Mendrez, and Dell Palomata led the way for PLDT with 14 points each while Jovy Prado had 13 points and 12 excellent receptions.
Mendrez, who suffered a sprained right ankle in their Game Three loss to the Angels, was only inserted late in the fourth set.
Game Two of the battle for third will be on Tuesday at the same venue.
