Myla Pablo provided the scoring punch while Ivy Lacsina delivered the finishing blow in F2 Logistics’ come-from-behind 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14 five-set win over the erstwhile unbeaten Creamline in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena, Saturday night.
Pablo unloaded a game-high 27 points on 22 attacks and five blocks – including a crucial one on Michele Gumabao in the fifth set – to help the Cargo Movers bounce back from a lackadaisical loss against Chery Tiggo and deal the Cool Smashers their first loss of the tournament.
Lacsina, who was limited to just seven points in the match, saved the best for last and delivered a booming ace that completed F2 Logistics’ rally from a 12-14 deficit in the fifth set en route to a 16-14 triumph.
Trailing by just one in the final frame, the Cargo Movers were pushed to the brink after Pablo committed a service error that placed Creamline at match point with a slim two-point lead, 12-14.
Tots Carlos and Ced Domingo, however, committed an attack error and a double contact violation, respectively, which tied the game and gave F2 Logistics the opening they needed to steal the game from the Cool Smashers.
Kianna Dy then put the clamps on Carlos on the following play, blocking the Creamline star to put her side at match point before Lacsina nailed the game-winning ace to ice the game for good and help the Cargo Movers improve their standing to 3-1, tied with the Cool Smashers.
“I am very proud of the team because they fought really well today. It feels like ayaw talaga nila ibigay yung laban which is how it should be in all teams so I’m really very happy for this win and hopefully madala namin siya for the next few games. We cannot be complacent,” said F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego.
F2 Logistics, who was down 1-2 in the match, started the fourth set strong and eventually led by as much as four points, 17-13.
The Cool Smashers, however, fought back and hammered down seven unanswered points that gave them a 20-17 advantage which brought them closer to victory. Celine Domingo gave the Cargo Movers a free point but Jema Galanza scored one in to restore the lead from three.
However, Aby Maraño willed her team back and trimmed the lead to just one, 21-22, after sparking a 3-0 spurt. Creamline kept the one-point lead after a couple of exchanges before Pablo nailed two consecutive hits in another 3-0 spurt that allowed them to force a decider.
“Yung puntos naman po, puntos ng lahat talaga kasi lahat naman talaga pinaghirapan namin and hindi naman mananalo ang isa kung wala yung mga kasama namin sa loob,” said Pablo.
Maraño provided 14 points while Dy and Ara Galang added 11 and eight points, respectively. Galang also had 17 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.
Kim Fajardo tossed 27 excellent sets for F2 Logistics while Dawn Macandili tallied 19 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Tots Carlos paced the Cool Smashers with 21 points, 11 receptions, and nine digs while delivering 18 points on 16 attacks.
Jeanette Panaga and Gumabao had 14 points each for the Rebisco-backed team while Domingo had nine markers. Jia De Guzman had 35 excellent sets in the loss.
F2 Logistics will take on Cignal on Saturday at 6:30 PM while Creamline looks to bounce back against Chery Tiggo earlier that day at 4:00 PM at the same venue.
