PLDT escapes Cignal, nabs PSL Grand Prix bronze

 PLDT’s Kendra Dahlke over Cignal’s Rachel Ann Daquis Sjirley Salamagos and Anatasiya Armeteva. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–PLDT Home Fibr outlasted Cignal, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 20-25, 19-17, to take home the bronze medal in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Imports Grace Lazard and Kendra Dahlke came to the Power Hitters’ rescue, delivering the final blows in the fifth set to give the team their first podium finish in the tournament.

“I’m happy for my players and for the company because this is just our second conference in the PSL. This is good for us as we prepare next conference,” said PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb.

“We came up short in the semifinals. But I think that the title match is not yet for us. I’m still proud of how my players fought this conference.”

Dahlke unleashed 27 points while Lazard added 22 points, including a backrow attack that gave the Power Hitters the match point, 18-17, and the game-winning block on Cignal import Ana Artemeva.

The locals also stepped up with Aiko Urdas finishing with 14 points and Grethcel Soltones putting up 12 points. Setter Jasmine Nabor made 28 excellent sets on top of 16 digs.

Despite failing to advance to the title round, it was still a largely successful campaign for PLDT, which is only on its second conference in the league.  Celest Flores-Colina