SLR outlasts Chery, stays in semis hunt

ILOCOS NORTE—Sta. Lucia survived the loss of a two-set lead before pulling out a 25-20, 25-12, 24-26, 21-25, 15-11 victory over Chery Tiggo that kept the Lady Realtors in the hunt for a semifinal slot in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center on Wednesday.

Though it was the Lady Realtors’ second straight victory, they remained outside of the final four with a 3-3 mark for sixth spot.

“I don’t think we relaxed, but Chery Tiggo just pushed itself hard to win (the third set),” Sta. Lucia coach Eddie Orcullo said. “For our part, we tried to force the issue. But sometimes, you commit mistakes, sometimes there is pressure.

“But we’re able to do it. The girls just need to understand to keep on fighting, keep on believing.”

The Crossovers, who spoiled the Perlas Spikers debut in three sets last Monday, fell to 3-2.

MJ Phillips sustained her explosive offense and finished with 23 points, including 16 attacks, while Jovie Prado banged away 19 kills and Jonah Sabete came away with 18 points to underscore Sta. Lucia’s balanced offensive attack.

Dindin Manabat pumped in 20 points while sister Jaja Santiago added 14 hits and Rachel Austero, Mylene Paat and Shaya Adorador combined for 20 points for the Crossovers, who succumbed to the Lady Realtors’ power game, 48-56, and yielded two points in their duel off the net, 10-12.Coming off a four-set triumph over Black Mamba Army last Monday, Sta. Lucia rode on a blistering windup in the first set then took advantage of its rival’s sloppy game in the next to go two sets up.

Meanwhile, the struggling teams try to enhance their respective chances on Thursday as Perlas faces Cignal HD and Army clashes with PLDT Home Fibr.

The Perlas Spikers will be coming off successive straight sets losses and are expected to have settle down somewhat and put their acts together when the square off with the HD Spikers at 3 p.m.

Like Cignal, Black Mamba Army is out to snap a two-game skid after splitting its first two games, and the Lady Troopers hope to use their veteran smarts to check their skid against the PLDT Power Hitters at 6 p.m.