Fans had a feast over the weekend as PVL and UAAP continued the action in their respective season run in women’s volleyball. The Premiere Volleyball League kickstarted the weekend with the game 1 of the best-of-three semifinals between rank four F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and the top-seed Creamline Cool Smashers, with the latter emerging as the better team at the end of the regulation, 26-24, 25-18, 25-21, 25-15. Opposite spiker Michelle Gumabao took the Player of the Game plum after logging 20 points off 19 attacks and 1 ace against the Pablo-less Cargo Movers.
The game was followed by the clash between Petro Gazz Angels and PLDT High Speed Hitters to cap off the Saturday double-header, with the former taking the win in four sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18. Veteran Aiza Maiso-Pontillas earned another Player of the Game award with 12 points off 11 attacks, 1 ace, and 7 excellent digs.
ANOTHER CHAMPIONS REMATCH OR AN UPSET FROM SEMIS NEWBIES?
The Cool Smashers and the Angels are a step closer to booking another finals match. Can the Cargo Movers and High Speed Hitters force a decider, or will it be another battle of champions in the All-Filipino Conference? Catch the game 2 action of the semis between F2 and Creamline on March 21 at the MOA Arena, followed by the Petro Gazz and PLDT duel.
BATTLE OF THE JUGGERNAUTS AND THE BATTLE OF KATIPUNAN
After the Saturday matches in the pro league, the collegiate volleyball conference resumed with the highly-anticipated round 1 encounter between the DLSU Lady Spikers and the Adamson Lady Falcons, with the latter aiming to stain the unblemished record of La Salle.
However, right after the Set 1 letdown of the Lady Spikers, they silenced the Lady Falcons to win the next three sets and the match 21-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-19. The Taft Stalwarts were triumphant in displaying dominance at the net after logging a record-high 14 blocks in four sets and on the floor after stuffing the stat sheets with 48 excellent receives and 40 excellent digs. Setter-skipper Mars Alba bagged the Player of the Game plum after the outsetting priced setter Louie Romero with 15 excellent sets, 4 attacks, and 3 aces.
La Salle remains the only team with no losses after 6 outings. Dropping only three sets so far. But the next assignment for La Salle will be their toughest yet, as they face the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs. Will the Lady Spikers emerge spotless at the end of round 1? Or will the NU Lady Bulldogs repeats mastery of their bridesmaid?
The Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons ended the Sunday double-header. Dubbed as the Battle of Katipunan, the Blue Eagles regained their strength in time to dispatch the Fighting Maroons in straight sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25- 22. Ateneo snapped its 4-game losing streak while UP gets demoted to 7th place.
Vanie Gandler bagged the Player of the Game award after anchoring the offense of the Blue Eagles with 13 points, all on attacks.
Round 1 action of the UAAP Season 85 Women’s Volleyball continues on Wednesday, March 22, at the EcoOil Flying-V Arena.
