PHILIPPINE Navy relied on Lilet Mabbayad’s game-long brilliance in beating Coast Guard, 25-20, 25-23, 25- 21, on Saturday and bounce back into contention in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Mabbayad and Pau Soriano combined for a 29-hit game, while skipper and setter Janet Serafica produced 34 excellent sets for the Lady Sailors, who bounced back from a disappointing four-set setback to the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons last week in a match they controlled early on.
The Lady Dolphins kept the game close by pouncing on the Lady Sailors’ errors and mishits, but the latter showed composure to fashion out the victory and move to solo fourth behind joint leaders PLDT Home Ultera , Army and UP in the season-ending conference, sponsored by Shakey’s.
“We just wanted to get the win after our heartbreaking loss to UP. But it took a lot of effort, teamwork and trust in ourselves to clinch this victory,” said Mabbayad, who finished with 15 points she spiked with two blocks and one ace.
Navy made up for its erratic game marred by 34 errors, with superb court coverage behind libero Jennifer Fortuno, who accounted for 14 of the team’s 34 excellent digs, 11 more than their opponents.
Team captain Rossan Fajardo had nine hits while Hyrize Macabuhay and Samantha Dawson combined for 13 points for Coast Guard, which dropped to 0-2, counting its straight-set setback to PLDT last week.
The Lady Sailors will now need to win at least three of their last four games to gain a crack at the fourth semifinals berth in the tournament, presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by Mikasa and Accel.
Army and UP, meanwhile, dispute the lead as they collide on Sunday at resumption of the weekend volleyball festival, featuring matches aired live over GMA News TV Channel 11.
The Lady Troopers and the Lady Maroons tangle at 12:45 p.m., while PLDT Home Ultera tries to gain a piece of the lead as it faces newcomer KIA Forte at 3 p.m.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza