Perlas outlasts UP to stay in hunt for semis spot

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

BanKo Perlas kept its composure and remained in the quest for a semifinals spot in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference after dismantling University of the Philippines, 30-28, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

An awry spike from Lady Maroon Diana Carlos ended the match in favor of the Perlas Spikers as they improved to a 2-3 standing while UP slipped to 1-4.

Opposite hitter Nicole Tiamzon said it was her team’s strong, yet long, first set that gave them the confidence in pushing through.

And although the Perlas Spikers dropped the following set, they were able to recover in the third and that boosted their morale, said Tiamzon, once more going into the fourth period.

“It’s a good thing we got the first set and at least we were able to gain the confidence and we realized that yes we can hold on to our lead,” said Tiamzon. “Because our team has a tendency to slow down once we see that we’re about to close things out.”

Tiamzon and Ella De Jesus led BanKo Perlas with 15 points apiece while Kathy Bersola and skipper Sue Roces added a combined 27 as they jumped to the fifth spot, from sixth, in the eight-team tournament.

Diana Carlos had a game-high 24 points to lead the last-placed Lady Maroons.