PHILIPS Gold blasted Mane ‘N Tail, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20, to stay in contention for one of the two outright semifinal slots in the 2015 Philippine Superliga women’s volleyball tournament All-Filipino Conference on Monday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Rossan Fajardo and Myla Pablo led a balanced assault for the Lady Slammers, who ended their elimination-round campaign on a high note in the inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core and supported by Asics, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller Sports Medicine, Via Mare, LGR and Heathway Medical.
It was Philips Gold’s fifth win in 10 games, keeping it alive for one of the two outright semifinal slots together with Shopinas (5-3) and Foton (4-4). Unbeaten Petron already copped the first outright semis seat.
“Our fate is no longer in our hands,” Philips Gold Coach Francis Vicente said. “That’s why I tell the girls to give everything they’ve got. This is a crucial game. We need to win by an impressive margin to improve our points in the ranking and have an outside chance of making the semis.”
Fajardo was impressive with her serves with four aces for a team-high 12 points, while Pablo unleashed eight kills to finish with 10 points for the Lady Slammers, who caught the Lady Stallions on a bad day and dominated them from start to finish.
Michelle Gumabao and Lutgarda Malaluan chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
“They played well because we gave them a very good rest,” Vicente added. “All of our previous games were extended to five sets. So we decided to call for a day off so they can play fresh and inspired in the last game of eliminations.”
Cebu hotshot Aby Praca was the lone bright spot with 11 kills for a total of 16 points for Mane ‘N Tail, which absorbed its seventh loss in nine games.
The Lady Stallions, however, were relegated to the quarterfinal round together with cellar-dweller Cignal.
Sudden-death quarterfinals is set this Saturday at the Quezon Convention Center in Quezon Province as part of the league’s Spike on Tour.
Image credits: Kevin dela Cruz