Majoy Baron and the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–F2 Logistics took the other slot in the battle for third after holding off Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh of Vietnam, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 victory, at the close of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals at Philsports Arena on Friday.
The Cargo Movers needed to win in 3 or 4 sets to oust the PLDT from the bronze medal match. The High-Speed Hitters actually finished tied with Cignal and F2 Logistics at 2-3 but the HD Spikers and the Logistics wound up with identical 7 tiebreak points on set ratio to advance.
F2 Logistics and Cignal duel for the bronze at 4 p.m. on Sunday with Creamline and Kurashiki clashing for title at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s been very hard for the team, we’ve been to losses after losses but we’re very happy to be back in the semis,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego. “I wish we can play better the next game. I’m proud of these girls, I just want them to be healthy and enjoy the game all the time.”
Myla Pablo and Ivy Lacsina spearheaded F2 Logistics’ fightback finishing with 20 points, including 18 on attacks, and 15 points, respectively, while Aby Maraño shone with 18 points including five blocks.
F2 Logistics’ Myla Pablo in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER>net
But middle Majoy Baron took the spotlight as she went on an attack mode, producing a 15-hit effort on top of four blocks and an ace to equal Pablo’s 20-point output.
“We gave our best and we’re happy for this win since we’re in for the battle for third,” said Baron, whose two-handed dump off a broken play gave F2 Logistics a 22-19 cushion in the fourth.
Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh closed out its PVL campaign the way it opened it last July 22 – winning the opening set and then losing the rest to Kurashiki of Japan. It lost all its five matches in the tournament.
Nguyen Huong scored 19 points, while Phan My and Le Xuan added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh.