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BanKo-Perlas, shown in this file photo, improved to 2-3 after defeating the UP Lady Maroons. Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports
MANILA, Philippines – The BanKo-Perlas Spikers kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating University of the Philippines (UP) in four sets in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Former UP standouts Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon conspired with Ella de Jesus to tow the Spikers to a 30-28, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the young Lady Maroons. It was only their second win in the tournament against three losses.
"May chance pa kami (sa semifinals)," said Tiamzon, who had 15 points on 14 attacks. "So step by step, parang we need to win every game."
"Natalo kami sa Power Smashers, and sobrang sakit ng pagkatalo. So ngayon, naka-gain ulit kami ng confidence to play against Bali Pure this Saturday," she added.
BanKo-Perlas drew first blood in an extended first set, where they saved three set points and got a clutch hit from De Jesus to surge ahead, 29-28, before Bersola ended matters with a rejection of her former teammate, Isa Molde.
"Buti na lang, nakuha namin 'yung first set. At least, naka-gain kami ng kumpyansa na kaya rin naman pala naming kumapit," said Tiamzon.
However, BanKo-Perlas was unable to build on their win in the opening frame, with Diana Carlos and Molde combining to power UP in the second set. The young Lady Maroons collapsed in the third, however, with De Jesus tallying two clutch hits to push the Spikers on top, 2-1.
BanKo-Perlas asserted itself in Set 4, with Bersola tallying two straight kill blocks for an early 4-1 lead, and the Spikers never looked back.
"Naka-gain kami ng momentum (with this win)," said Tiamzon.
De Jesus matched Tiamzon with 15 points, while Bersola had 14 points, including five kill blocks. Skipper Sue Roces contributed 13 markers for the Spikers, who managed to limit their errors to only 28 this time around.
Carlos, UP's new team captain, had 24 points and Molde added 18, but their efforts were not enough to keep the Lady Maroons from dropping to 1-4 in the conference.
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