V-League: Laoag routs Baguio to bolster playoff bid

Laoag Power Smashers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Laoag pounced on a listless Baguio side, 25-18, 25-10, 25-11, and gave its playoff hopes a boost in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference Saturday night at Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.

Mylene Paat and Jovielyn Prado scored 10 points each for the Power Smashers, who evened their win-loss record to 3-3.

“Sabi ko nga sakanila, kalimutan na natin last game natin, kailangan lang natin magpursige at makaabot tayo sa playoffs,” said Laoag coach Nes Pamilar, whose team came off a disappointing defeat to Bali Pure last Wednesday.

Laoag has to win its final game in the elimination round against University of the Philippines to have a chance at securing a playoff for the last semifinals slot.

Pamilar said his players are still far from the level they need to be in terms of maturity. Belief is also another aspect that the players lack at this point.

“Tiwala nila sa sarili, self-confidence. Kulang lang natin yung paniniwala sa sarili. Wala pang maturity kasi mga bata pa sila. Hindi pa sila gaano katagal naglalaro sa NCAA or UAAP,” said Pamilar. “Nasa 40 or 50 percent pa lang tiwala nila sa sarili.”

Maria Tsuchiya and Carmela Dicksen had eight points each for Baguio, which yielded a conference-worst 21 service aces.