PVL: Kianna Dy powers F2 Logistics past Akari to gain share of top seed

F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kianna Dy propelled F2 Logistics to a 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 sweep of Akari that forced a three-way tie at the top of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

Dy delivered 17 points, all from attacks, as the Cargo Movers earned their second straight win in as many games to join the Creamline Cool Smashers and Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the early league lead.

Setter Kim Fajardo made 17 excellent sets on top of two points, as Myla Pablo and Ivy Lacsina contributed nine and eight points, respectively. The reigning Conference’s Best Libero Dawn Macandili sustained her tremendous floor defense with 14 digs and 13 excellent receptions.

F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego was pleased with their improvement compared to their nail-biting five-set win over PLDT last Tuesday. But she admitted they are still a work in progress.

“I cannot say that they did not improve, they improved in some areas but we can’t be contented. I want more from them. So many things we have to improve,” said Diego in Filipino. “Akari is a good team. We respect them. We have to improve to finish the game as fast as we can. We can’t wait for them to make more points, we have to be more aggressive to get more wins.”

“But we take the win. We’re still thankful for this win,” she added.

Pablo closed out the first set with back-to-back kills, while Dy came to the rescue in the second after her team blew a 23-18 lead with a clutch attack to take a two-set lead.

The Cargo Movers also squandered a 19-10 margin in the third as Akari scored six straight points ignited by substitute spiker Chiara Permentilla to cut down the lead to 19-16. Dy stopped the bleeding with back-to-back spikes followed by two consecutive aces from Jessma Ramos to pull away with a 23-18 lead.

Dy brought F2 Logistics at match point, 24-18, followed by a costly attack error from Eli Soyud to bag their second straight win — tying their best PVL start last year, 2-0 in the Open Conference.

Akari dropped to 0-2 after giving up 27 errors with Dindin Santiago-Manabat being the lone bright spot with 16 points before she was benched in the latter part of the third set.