by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Sunday (Alonte Sports Arena, Biñan City)
2 p.m. – BanKo Perlas vs Motolite
4 p.m. – Pacifictown Army vs PetroGazz
Motolite woke up from a two-set slumber and turned back BaliPure, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 15-12, on Saturday to bolster its semifinal bid in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Imports Channon Thompson and Krystle Esdelle fueled the Motolite Spikers in hiking their win-loss tally to 3-5 at solo fourth place by erupting for combined 42 kills and finishing with 27 and 24 points.
The victory also served as a morale-booster for Motolite heading to its crucial duel with BanKo-Perlas on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City. The Perlas Spikers are only half a game behind them with 2-5.
“We needed this (win),” said Motolite coach Air Padda. “Playing back-to-back games is tough physically and mentally, but this win gives us an extra boost of confidence. We’re taking this win with us when we face BanKo-Perlas tomorrow (Sunday).”
Despite a productive training the day before, Padda said her stalwarts got frustrated when they didn’t start how they wanted to that allowed BaliPure to penetrate the net with Danijela Dzakovic, Alexandra Vajdova and Grazielle Bombita at the helm.
“But we started playing with our heads instead of emotions, and I think it speaks of our team’s resilience,” Padda said, referring to their more aggressive offensive approach particularly in the fifth frame where they unlocked themselves from an 8-all tie for good.
Motolite overpowered BaliPure on attacks, 58-45, and managed 13 blocks compared to the Water Defenders’ six. The Motolite Spikers also fired eight aces with two each from Esdelle and Isa Molde.
Molde and Aie Gannaban finished with seven points each for Motolite while Myla Pablo scored four points despite only seeing action in the second set.
Motolite’s triumph eliminated BaliPure from the Final Four race as the Water Defenders fell their eighth consecutive defeat.
