MANILA – United Volleyball Club got back on the winning track in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after a 14-25, 25-21, 25-21, 26-24 victory over Cignal HD Spikers on Tuesday at the San Juan Arena.
Filipino-American star Kalei Mau and import Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani unloaded 19 points apiece for the United VC, which tallied its first win in the second round to improve to 5-4.
Shar Manu-Olevao was also instrumental for the United VC with 10 points while setter Alohi Robins-Hardy dished out 31 excellent sets, 16 digs and three markers.
After struggling heavily in the first set, the United VC got it going in the second and third frame with strong starts behind Mau and Bedart-Ghani before thwarting HD Spikers’ attempted run.
The game was tight in the fourth set with HD Spikers slightly up at 21-23 before Bedart-Ghani delivered the game winning spikes that completed United VC come-from-behind win.
“I’m proud of how the girls stayed composed. The girls talked among themselves,” said United VC head coach Joshua Ylaya. “We’re starting zero-zero again, that was a fluke. Let’s start anew and I’m glad that they responded right away.”
He added: “The coaching staff is just proud on how they handled that last stretch in the fourth set. Credits to the serving of (Amy) Ahomiro, we have to serve strong in that crucial moment and she did well that made our offensive transition smooth.”
Erika Wilson tallied 29 points, while Ana Artemeva contributed 12 points while Jheck Dionela protected the floor with 30 digs and 19 excellent receptions for HD Spikers, which absorbed its third straight loss with 5-6 card./PN
