Following a tight loss last Tuesday to F2 Logistics, United Volleyball Club recovered and outlasted the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-22, 25-13, 29-27, for their third win in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
United VC turned a 13-16 deficit in the first set into a 22-19 lead thanks to solid serving from specialist Marge Tejada. From there, setter Alohi Robins-Hardy finished off the HD Spikers with consecutive plays in transition.
Following a lopsided win in the second frame, UVC nearly collapsed in the third frame, allowing Cignal HD to rise from a 22-20 gap and get the first crack at set point, 24-23. Errors plagued the HD Spikers in the deuce that ensued. Cignal import Erica Wilson tried to keep the HD Spikers afloat, but UVC’s Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani and Robins-Hardy conspired for the match’s last points.
“Actually, ‘yung pagkatalo namin sa F2 hindi naman siya talaga naging mabigat para sa amin naging more of a morale-boosting loss pa nga siya for us,” UVC head coach Joshua Ylaya said of their four-set loss to the perennial contenders.
“It’s those kinds of games that will strengthen the character of this young team. I’m proud na as a team they stuck together, although there was a part na medyo bumagsak sila nung nag-tie na. But it’s a good thing na naka-recover agad sila and that’s the maturity that we need,” he added.
Bedart-Ghani finished with 18 points while skipper Kalei Mau added 15.
Erica Wilson topped the HD Spikers with 17 points while Ana Artemeva managed 14.
UVC (3-2) takes on Generika-Ayala (0-4) on Saturday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center. Cignal HD (3-2) faces Foton (1-3) also on Saturday.
The Scores
UVC (3) – Bedart-Ghani 18, Mau 15, Manu-Olevao 8, Robins-Hardy 8, Palec 6, Tejada 3, Angustia 2, Tiu 1, Ahomiro 0, Barroga 0, Pineda (L)
Cignal HD (0) – Wilson 17, Artemeva 14, Paat 6, Cardiente 2, Musa 2, Daquis 1, Salamagos 1, Aguilar 0, Navarro 0, Dionela (L)
