MANILA – PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters punches a twice-to-beat incentive in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after a 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 win over United Volleyball Club on Thursday at the San Juan Arena.
Kendra Dahlke spearheaded the attack for the Power Hitters with 21 kills, two blocks and an ace for 24 points while fellow reinforcement Grace Lazard shone with 15 markers.
Among locals, Aiko Urdas added nine points while Jasmine Nabor was also splendid with 24 excellent sets on top of 18 digs and three attacks for the Power Hitters, which cruised to 8-6 win-loss slate.
“We needed this win because we want to avoid falling into fifth place,” said PLDT head coach Roger Gorayeb. “I told them that as much as possible, we have to win in three sets to improve our ranking. I’m glad that the players responded well.”
The Power Hitters had a slow start and were trailing 12-17 in the first set but managed to fight its way back to 17-18 on three consecutive hits from before Lazard took over to take the first frame.
After easily winning the second set, the Power Hitters have to rely on Dahlke and Lazard in the third frame as they engineered a torrid run in the third set to give the Power Hitters a 23-18 lead.
United VC’s Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani and Amy Ahomiro quickly shaved it to within two, 21-23 but Lazard stopped the bleeding as she delivered the match point, But Bedart-Ghani saved a point before Urdas unleashed the game-winning spike.
Bedart-Ghani delivered 21 points while Filipina-American Kalei Mau had 18 markers laced with 20 excellent receptions for United VC, which dropped to 6-6 and has to win its last two matches to claim the last quarterfinal bonus./PN
