PHILIPS Gold overcame a late rampage by Foton to prevail, 25-18, 24-26, 25-21, 15-25, 15-13, and snap its two-game losing skid last night in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at Cuneta Astrodome.
In scoring only their second win, the Lady Slammers (2-3) also snapped the Tornadoes’ two-game winning streak, although Foton stayed in second with a 3-2 slate.
Myla Pablo exploded for 21 points and received ample support from her teammates, three of them also scoring in double digits.
Team captain Michelle Gumabao accounted for 16 points, while Rossan Fajardo and Desiree Dadang contributed 14 and 12, respectively for the Lady Slammers.
It was a double heartbreak for Foton as starter Angeline Gervacio injured her left knee in the second set and failed to finish the match.
Gervacio was later brought to the Makati Medical Center with officials fearing she tore her anterior cruciate ligament, which could sideline her for the rest of the conference.
Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente said a major adjustment in offense, specifically in timing their sets, proved crucial for the Lady Slammers.
“Iris (Tolenada) is a good setter, but the players still had to adjust to her fast sets as most of the players are used to getting slow sets,” said Vicente. “Now we decided to make some adjustments, and hopefully everybody will get into her pace.”
Nicole Tiamzon led Foton with 21 points while fellow neophyte Pam Lastimosa and Patty Orendain added 10 apiece.
The fifth set was a toe and toe battle with the Tornadoes taking a 13-12 lead on Pablo’s wide hit. But Gumabao fired through a phalanx of defenders to tie it.
Orendain bungled a smash and Hazel Mea blocked Lastimosa’s spike to end the match.