After ending a three-game slide last Saturday, the PacificTown–Army Lady Troopers sustained momentum, ripping apart the Bali Pure Water Defenders, 25-17, 25-16, 27-25, in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Save for a brief juncture late in the match, the Lady Troopers coasted through each of the sets en route to their second straight win. Moreover, they improved to a 4-3 card to remain seated in solo fifth spot.
Honey Royse Tubino led PacificTown–Army’s drubbing of Bali Pure. She finished with 13 points, all but one coming from attack, laced with eight excellent digs.
Lut Malaluan supplied 10 markers spiked by three service aces for the Lady Troopers, who rained down 10 points from
Jem Guttierez and Jovelyn Gonzaga were also pivotal in the dominant win. The former contributed nine markers, while the latter chimed in seven points, two from kill blocks.
PacificTown–Army setter Sarah Jane Gonzales tossed 12 excellent sets to go along with four aces for five markers Meanwhile, Angela Nunag patrolled the floor with 12 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Ging Balse-Pabayo managed four markers, but she made her presence felt in the uphill battle in the third set.
Knotted at 24 in a two-to-win situation, Gonzaga uncorked a hit to give PacificTown–Army some cushion. It was short-lived, however, as she muffed a scoring attempt in the ensuing play. Following a crucial overcooked serve from Ann Pronuevo, Pabayo delivered the final blow.
“May unti-unti pa kaming lapses sa dulo pero nakakabalik. Yun naman ang importante,” Army head coach Kungfu Reyes said.
“Makabalik lang yung playing system namin, especially sa mga veteran namin kasi when they get their groove, sigurado na, lalaro na kami,” he added.
Grazielle Bombita poured in a 13-point output in a losing cause for Bali Pure, who fell to the eight spot with a 2-6 card.
Shirley Salamagos and Menchie Tubiera added five and six markers.
PacificTown–Army shall face the Air Force Lady Jet Spikers on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bali Pure will square off against the BanKo Perlas Spikers on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the same venue.
