F2 Logistics. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—F2 Logistics gave the debuting Farm Fresh a baptism of fire with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 win to jumpstart its Pool B campaign on a high note in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Ivy Lacsina shone in her first game with a new position as an outside hitter, leading the way with 13 points for the Cargo Movers, who also drew impressive debuts from Mars Alba and Jolina Dela Cruz.
The 6-foot-1 Lacsina, who was converted from middle blocker to spiker, tallied 10 attacks and a block, as team captain Aby Maraño scattered five kills, three blocks, and two aces to finish with 10 points and sweep the Foxies in an hour and 28 minutes.
Alba started in her first PVL game and delivered 14 excellent sets and five points including two aces. Kianna Dy chipped in nine points. Dela Cruz had seven points including the game-winning ace to go with nine receptions, while Majoy Baron added seven markers each.
“We are happy that we won but of course, we still have to learn more,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego. “We have to make better connections with each other, especially Marionne is new on the team she still has to make a lot of adjustments. Of course, we’re not going to stop improving because we still committed a lot of errors and there are many parts of our game that still need some polishing.”
Jov Fernandez. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
After taking the first two sets, Jovelyn Fernandez, who also made her pro debut, gave the Cargo Movers an 18-15 lead in the third set before the Foxies scored three straight points capped by Jessa Dorog’s ace. Lacsina took charge with two consecutive attacks followed by Baron’s running attack for a 21-19 breather.
F2 Logistics moved two points closer to its first win after Maraño blocked Pascual, 23-21. But the young Farm Fresh team refused to give up as Pascual nailed a through-the-block kill and Zam Nolasco scored a crucial ace to tie the set. Maraño stopped the bleeding with a quick attack to reach match point, 24-23, before Dela Cruz’s game-winning ace.
The Cargo Movers eye their second win against the Cignal HD Spikers on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue with Diego looking to win every game in Pool B as only the top two teams will advance to the semifinal round.
Pascual was the lone double-digit scorer for the Foxies with 10 points. Wielyn Estoque had eight points, while Kate Santiago finished with seven points in limited minutes. Trisha Tubu also saw limited action in her first pro game with only three markers.
Farm Fresh will try to bounce back against Choco Mucho on Thursday at 4 p.m.