F2 Logistics gave newcomer Farm Fresh a rude welcome after a quick, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23, victory to open its Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference Pool B campaign on a positive note Tuesday, 27 June, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Ivy Lacsina was effective in her new position at the wing spot, scoring 13 points to pace the Cargo Movers in the one-hour, 22-minute match.
The 6-foot-1 Lacsina, who was switched from middle blocker to open spiker, hammered 12-of-40 attacks and had a kill block. Skipper Aby Marano finished with 10 markers while Kim Kianna Dy added seven points for F2 Logistics.
De La Salle University recruits Jolina Dela Cruz and setter Mars Alba started for the Cargo Movers. Dela Cruz posted seven points, Alba tallied 14 excellent sets on top of five points while Far Eastern University product Jovelyn Fernandez debuted with three points – all in the third set – in a relief role.
“We are happy we got the win, but we still have to learn more. We have to make better connections with each other, especially with Marionne still new on court. She still has a lot of adjustments to do,” F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego said.
“Of course, we can’t stop (improving) because we still committed lots of errors on court. We need to polish a lot of things,” Diego added as she rued the squad’s 22 errors.
The Foxies showed grit in the third set as they rallied to tie the frame at 23 but the seasoned Cargo Movers were unrattled with Marano answering with an off the block kill followed by Dela Cruz’s service winner.
College of Saint Benilde standout Gayle Pascual, who along with most of the core of the back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association Lady Blazers were allowed to play pro through special guest license, led Farm Fresh with 10 points anchored on 7-of-19 spiking clip and three kill blocks.
Wielyn Estoque added eight points, Kate Santiago got seven while Samantha Nolasco turned in six markers for the Foxies.
Celebrated young gunner Trisha Tubu, who left Adamson University after just one season in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, was silenced to just three markers for Farm Fresh.
The Foxies fought back from a 21-23 deficit with a Pascual hit followed by Nolasco’s ace to tie the third frame.
Then the Cargo Movers finished them off.
