By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Army-Black Mamba edged fancied Choco Mucho, 25-22, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19, Tuesday in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
Ivy Perez came through with smart plays on the way to 27 excellent sets that also resulted to 9 points in helping anchor the Lady Troopers to their second victory in three matches.
Skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga took charge of the offensive lane and fired 12 kills for 13 points, while veterans Royse Tubino, Nene Bautista and Jeanette Villareal sizzled in the fourth frame and finished overall with a combined 23 points.
“Yung morale ng team matass talaga. Hindi masyado nakaka-rattle, nakakabalik agad kami kasi may nagga-guide,” said Perez.
It was a stinging defeat for Choco Mucho, which fell to 1-2, as it felt the absence of Kat Tolentino, Des Cheng, Cherry Nunag and Thang Ponce for health reasons.
Rubbing more salt to the wound was the loss of Aduke Ogunsanya late in the third set after hurting her right knee.
Caitlyn Viray scored 15 points for the Flying Titans, while Isa Molde and Bea De Leon teamed up for 14 points but their efforts went futile.
Meanwhile, PLDT Home Fibr pulled off a tough 22-25, 25-22, 25-17, 21-25, 16-14 decision to boost its own semis bid while sending Petro Gazz to the brink in the other game.
The High Speed Hitters blew a huge six-point lead in the fifth set but pounced on the Angels’ mishits in the nerve-wracking finish, including a MJ Phillips service error that shattered the 14-all count and a costly blunder that enabled the former to escape with the win.
Serving for the match, Heather Guino-o clinched the game-winner for PLDT when the Angels misjudged the flight of the ball, which sailed long but dropped just right on the baseline, triggering a frenzied celebration for the High Speed Hitters and a dejection for the stunned Angels.
