By MARK REY MONTEJO
Marina Tushova set a new PVL record after firing 45 points to power Capital1 over Choco Mucho in a five-set thriller, 13-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 15-13, in the Reinforced Conference at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Thursday, Aug 1.
Tushova broke the scoring record off 43 attacks, a block and an ace, highlighted by her last point which served as coup de grace to the Flying Titans’ heart and broke former Akari’s import Prisilla Rivera’s mark of 44 points (39 attacks, a block and four aces) two years ago against the very same team.
The Russian spiker lifted the Solar Spikers to a 2-2 card while Choco Mucho fell to 1-3 in their Pool B matchup which lasted for two and a half hours.
Capital1 mentor Roger Gorayeb was in awe of his reinforcement who has been playing splendidly for his team.
“Masaya ako from the very beginning of this tournament, ang laki ng in-improve ng team ko. ‘Di ko ma-contain ‘yong happiness ko,” Gorayeb said.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya I would rather see you in my team than on the other side,” he added.
It was a demolition for the Dante Alinsunurin-guided squad in the first set, but Capital1 successfully grabbed the upper hand from Choco Mucho thanks to Tushova and Iris Tolenada to level the game at 1-1.
With 16-15 on the scoreboard courtesy of Tolenada, the Flying Titans found their rhythm with Zoi Faki and veteran Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who posted 28 and 16 points, respectively, conniving for a 9-3 counter to take the third set.
Then came Tushova, who already tallied her 40th point in the fourth set, soaring and firing from all over the floor for the Solar Spikers which the Flying Titans couldn’t contain.
Meanwhile in the final game, Akari notched its fourth consecutive victory at the expense of ZUS Coffee (0-4), 25-18, 25-15, 25-23, tying the Cignal HD Spikers (4-0) at the top of the standings in Pool B.
It was an all-around effort for the Chargers, led by Oluoma Okaro, who topscored with 14, while Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones backed her up by adding 13 and 12.
Asaka Tamaru topped the scoring column for the winless Thunderbelles with eight in a losing cause.
