BanKo stopped its downward spiral and produced an epic five-set comeback against top-seed-seeking PayMaya, 18-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Perlas Spikers, who started their conference with a shock win over Creamline, were on a four-game losing streak before their win over the High Flyers, which gave them a 2-3 record.
PayMaya was locked in a three-way tie atop the standings with the Cool Smashers and BaliPure prior to meeting the Perlas Spikers but instead of taking sole possession of the top spot, they dropped to second with a 3-2 card.
Lost without a rhythm in the first two sets, BanKo found a gem in Nicole Tiamzon who lit up the scoreboards in the fifth set.
Tiamzon scored five of her 11 points in the fifth set with her final offensive stand giving the Perlas Spikers an 11-8 lead.
“I changed my lineup so what I did was put Jutarat Montripila as the opposite and put Nicole as the outside hitter because we really couldn’t find a combination that will work,” said BanKo head coach Dong Dela Cruz in Filipino. “And Tiammy [Tiamzon’s nickname] responded with the role we gave her.”
Lakia Bright then put the finishing touches on the victory first with a through the block kill for the 13-11 lead then a huge denial of Tess Rountree for the 14-11 match point.
Bright finished with 25 points while Montripila added 24 for the Perlas Spikers.
Rountree finished with a game-high 39 points to lead the High Flyers while Shellby Sullivan and Jerrili Malabanan combined for 24 points.