For decorated F2, a first semifinal appearance

F2 Logistics. PVL PHOTO

F2 Logistics has had quite the success in club tournaments that it somehow seems farfetched that the team is making just its first semifinal appearance in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

“Maybe this will make it to F2 history,” new coach Regine Diego said on Saturday, after the team officially claimed a semifinal berth in the All-Filipino Conference by adding to the misery of winless Army-Black Mamba, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20, 25-13.

“I’m happy I’m part of this,” Diego said.

The Cargo Movers had won five titles in the Philippine Superliga and one in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League. But since jumping over to the country’s first professional volleyball league, F2 Logistics hasn’t made it out of the elimination round.

Until now.

“[A]ll of these girls, all of us have been working hard for this. We’re already done with one goal, hopefully we achieve more,” Diego said.

Kim Kianna Dy, who spearheaded the Cargo Movers’ charge against the Lady Troopers, expressed as much excitement about staying in contention for the crown.

“I’m super happy that we’re in the semis, this is the first time in PVL but we still have a lot to improve on. We’re just very excited,” Dy said after finishing with a game-high 22 points.

Daunting firepower

Kim Fajardo once again pulled the strings of F2’s attack, lobbing 23 excellent sets to help get the Cargo Movers’ gunners going. Aby Maraño finished with 13 points, Elaine Kasilang added 10 markers while Majoy Baron and Ivy Lacsina adding nine points apiece.

Royse Tubino finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Troopers, who came out strong in the second set to tie that match at 1-1.

But F2’s firepower proved too daunting in the next two sets as the Cargo Movers improved to 6-2 (win-loss), to clinch the third semifinal berth behind Creamline and Petro Gazz.

Army lost its seventh straight game this tournament.