Pacifictown-Army salvages PVL bronze after frustrating BanKo in Game 3

Royse Tubino goes up against Jeanette Villareal and Jem Ferrer in Game 3 of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference bronze medal series Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo. POOL PHOTO.

ANTIPOLO CITY—Pacifictown-Army captured the bronze medal after a thrilling Game 3 win over BanKo, 18-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-16, 15-13, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Sunday at Ynares Center here.

The Lady Troopers couldn’t be anymore poetic in their pursuit of the medal with Jovelyn Gonzaga, who had nearly a year-long absence before the conference due to a knee injury, drilling a service ace to lead the team to the podium.

Gonzaga’s heroism didn’t go unnoticed with Pacifictown-Army head coach Kung Fu Reyes showing praise for his star opposite spiker.

“When it matters, she’s always there for us, especially on defense,” said Reyes in Filipino. “We took the bronze medal but it shines like a golden one.”

“As an athlete, Jove brings the soldier’s heart that when it matters she’ll be the one to go on the offensive when her teammates couldn’t. She’ our finisher.”

The Lady Troopers, who lost a five-set heartbreak in Game 1, needed Gonzaga’s finishing capabilities as they trailed 10-6 in the  the deciding set.

BanKo took a 12-10 lead after Nicole Tiamzon’s through the block kill, but that was when Gonzaga unleashed her showmanship.

After Olena Lymareva-Flink cut the Perlas Spikers’ lead to one, 12-11, Gonzaga tied the set up at 12-12 with a powerful kill.

Gonzaga then blocked Dzi Gervacio for the 13-12 lead before the Lady Troopers finished the job.

Flink finished with a game-high 32 points for Pacifictown-Army while fellow guest player Jenelle Jordan added 19 points.

Gonzaga had nine points under her name for the Lady Troopers.

Tiamzon led the Perlas Spikers with 22 points.