F2 Logistics made quick work of Foton, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14, to formally secure a semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Ivy Lacsina and Majoy Baron led the way for the Cargo Movers’ rebound from a stinging five-set setback in the previous match to end Pool B with a 4-1 win-loss record.
Also making the semis is Cignal, which pulled off a 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 win over Choco Mucho in the third game.
Jovelyn Gonzaga scored 13 points on 10 attacks and three blocks to send the HD Spikers to the next round.
The Cargo Movers joined defending champion Creamline and foreign guest clubs Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan and Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam in the round-robin semis set to begin tomorrow.
“We’re grateful for this victory. At least we bounced back (from a loss last game) but we can’t be relaxed and we can’t be overconfident because heading to the semis, it’s going to be hard battles again,” F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego said.
“Hopefully, this is good preparation for the semis.”
Lacsina blasted 11 kills with three aces and two kill blocks in a 16-point outing while Baron continued to thrive back as a starter scoring 12 points for the Cargo Movers, who limited their errors to just nine.
Skipper Aby Maraño added nine points, Kim Kianna Dy had eight while Jolina dela Cruz and Myla Pablo put in six each in just two sets of action in the one-hour, 26-minute win.
F2 Logistics, fresh from heartbreaking loss to Petro Gazz last Thursday, vented its ire on hapless Foton as it took control of the lopsided duel early.
Pablo put the Cargo Movers up, 19-9, in the third set. The Tornadoes brought it down to 19-11 before Pablo pushed F2 Logistics at match point off a crosscourt hit.
Jasmine Nabor saved two match points but Maraño was quick to quell Foton’s late rally with a quick kill to seal the win.
The Tornadoes closed the elims with a 1-4 slate.
Nabor and Seth Rodriguez paced Foton with nine and seven points, respectively. Shaya Adorador went cold with just six.
Meanwhile, veteran Dindin Santiago-Manabat and new recruit Faith Nisperos connived to power Akari to a hard-fought 25-20, 22-25, 27-25, 25-27, 15-12, breakthrough victory over Gerflor.
Nisperos scored all but one of her game-high 18 points off attacks and tallied 14 digs and six excellent receptions in an all-around performance for Chargers, who ended a three-game losing skid in Pool A.
Akari is relegated in the battle for ninth place against Petro Gazz.
“It was hard for us because we came from three losses. The team, what we did was really committed that whatever happens we have to win,” Nisperos said.
“I’m really glad that we worked together to get that win. Of course, there’s more polishing to do. But I’m really happy we finally won a game.”
Manabat added 17 points including 14 off kills, Eli Soyud came off the bench to chip in nine points while Janine Marciano and Ezra Madrigal registered eight each for the Chargers.
Akari survived the almost three-hour match despite giving away 39 free points to the Defenders off miscues.
Gerflor finished the pool play winless in four outings. Alyssa Bertolano and Justine Dorog had 14 and 13 markers, respectively, for the Defenders.
The Defenders and Tornadoes clash in the battle for 9th.
