PVL: Foton rallies from two sets down to frustrate Farm Fresh
Foton Tornadoes in the PVL Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Mary Rhose Dapol and Shaya Adorador dug deep as Foton erased a two-set deficit to frustrate Farm Fresh in the five sets, 18-25, 23-25, 31-29, 25-20, 18-16, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Dapol, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable player from University of Perpetual Help, unleashed a career-high 28 points built on 25 attacks, two blocks, and an ace to will the Tornadoes back for their first win and send the Foxies, who are composed of her rivals from College of Saint Benilde, to the 13th place of the midseason tournament.
Article continues after this advertisement“Sobrang laking tulong po kasi at the same time yung iba pong Benilde na players kilala ko na yung galawan kaya hindi na mahirap kapain sa loob ng court,” said Dapol, who also tallied 16 digs and seven excellent receptions. “Nung nandoon na sa fifth set sabi ko lalaban na po, talagang buwis ng buhay na talaga para makamit yung panalo.”
Adorador, who finished with 24 points including three blocks, broke a 7-7 tie by scoring four consecutive hits to build an 11-8 breather in the fifth set but Gayle Pascual answered with three straight attacks to tie the frame for Farm Fresh.
The Foxies were the first to reach the match point, 14-13, after Zam Nolasco’s block and Trisha Tubu’s go-ahead kill. Dapol saved the Tornadoes with a cross-court hit and nailed a clutch ace to steal the advantage, 16-15, before Kate Santiago forced another deuce.
Article continues after this advertisementJaila Atienza drilled a quick attack to regain the lead, 17-16, before May Luna delivered the match-winning ace to end Foton’s three-game skid in two hours and 25 minutes.
Foton Tornadoes’ Mary Rhose Dapol. –PVL PHOTO
Adorador, who revived the Tornadoes by ending the 41-minute third set that reached 31 points, was holding back her tears after delivering Foton’s first win in its comeback to the volleyball scene in four years.
“Sobrang happy and emotional na rin kasi kahit na whatever it takes talaga, straight sets, four sets or five sets man yan, ang importante panalo kami yun yung i-uuwi namin. Masaya pa rin kami na nagawa namin yun kasi nagtulungan kami,” said the Foton captain, who was transferred to the new PVL team from their sister squad Chery Tiggo.
Foton, which has already been relegated to the classification round, wraps up its Pool Phase campaign against F2 Logistics (3-1) on Tuesday.
Middle blocker Seth Rodriguez was also instrumental with 13 points including two aces. Atienza chipped in nine points highlighted by four blocks. Setter Jasmine Nabor dished out 15 excellent sets and scored five, as libero Carly Hernandez protected the floor with 18 digs and seven receptions.
Bern Flora injured her left knee right at the start of the third set as she was stretchered off the court from a bad fall.
Farm Fresh will no longer play in the classification round after losing all its five matches in Pool B amid the efforts of Wielyn Estoque and Kate Santiago, who had 22 points each.
Santiago also had 22 excellent receptions and 16 digs. Pascual and Tubu scored 12 points each. Nolasco had 10 markers from four blocks, as setter Cloanne Mondonedo made 18 excellent sets on top of five points.
