PSL: Philips Gold makes it lights out for Meralco

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MALOLOS CITY—Philips Gold pulled the plug on Meralco with an easy 25-12, 26-24, 25-19, win Saturday and moved a win away from securing a semifinal seat in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball at Malolos Sports and Convention Center here.

The Lady Slammers didn’t do anything special aside from unleashing imports Bojanna Todorovic and Alexis Olgard to wreak havoc on the already spotty defenses of the Power Spikers.

Philips Gold chalked its fifth victory in seven games. The Power Spikers, kept in the dark the whole conference because of a disjointed lineup, spun out of contention as they slumped to their seventh defeat in as many games.

Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente, whose charges arrived here Friday night to avoid traffic, said they have put the previous loss to Foton behind them and they are ready for the next round.

“It’s all right, the players came from a vacation, and Foton really wanted to win that one. But I think we are more adjusted this time,” said Vicente.

Six-foot-4 middle blocker Olgard had 16 points, 10 through quick kills off superb setting of Fil-American Lindsay Dowd who finished with 25 excellent sets.

Power-hitter Myla Pablo also delivered 13 points, while Todorovic had a slow day with nine points but came up with 11 digs and eight  receptions.

Vicente said the players didn’t have a chance to practice at the venue but jogged around it in the morning.

They still looked heads and shoulders above the Power Spikers who missed the services of import Christina Alessi. The 6-foot-3 lefty hitter topscored in their last game but was seen with heavily tapes on her left knee.