United VC snaps PLDT’s three-game streak to end first round

Wanting to end their first round campaign in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix on a high note, the United Volleyball Club toppled the PLDT Power Hitters, 25-18, 17-25, 25-22, 25-17, for their fourth win at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

United VC pulled big contributions from their towering trio of wingers. Opposite hitter Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani tallied 20 points, while Hawaiian open hitter Tai Manu-Olevao added 19. Fil-American Kalei Mau captain also managed 16. Even Fil-Am setter Alohi Robins-Hardy got into the offense with seven points and 25 excellent sets.

UVC head coach Joshua Ylaya complimented his team’s resiliency as they frustrated several PLDT runs throughout the match.

“What I love about my team is there isn’t a lot of technical adjustments we need to make. Our biggest hurdle is our overcoming ourselves. It’s the mental aspect of the game,” said Ylaya.

“PLDT was making runs kanina. We knew that we had to stop PLDT when they made two points straight. Let’s not give them the chance to get momentum,” the young mentor added.

Imports Grace Lazard and Kendra Dahlke each provided 17 points, while Sasa Devanadera managed seven markers.

UVC (4-3) take on the F2 Logistics Cargo MOvers (5-0) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. On the other hand, PLDT (3-3) cap their first round campaign against the Cignal HD Spikers (4-2) on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.

The Scores

UVC (3) – Bedart-Ghani 20, Manu-Olevao 19, Mau 16, Robins-Hardy 7, Angustia 6, Palec 4, Tejada 0, Tiu 0, Pineda (L)

PLDT (1) – Dahlke 17, Lazard 17, Devanadera 7, Alvarez 6, Urdas 4, Nabor 5, Guillema 0, Soltones 0, Eroa (L), Pantone (L)