Samoilenko, Baron lift PLDT to semis

MANILA, Philippines — In trouble, PLDT went to its tried and tested weapons up front – the two-headed dragon in Elena Samoilenko and Majoy Baron.

The Samoilenko-Baron duo took over the game in the fifth and final set as the High Speed Hitters edged the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9, last night to barge into the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference semifinals at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Samoilenko and Baron each scored four critical points in the deciding set to propel PLDT straight to the semis versus Akari in another knockout affair tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena.

Samoilenko fired 37 points in all, including 32 on spikes and three on blocks.

But the most crucial one came late in the last set when the Russian tank swatted away a Mylene Paat attack that sent the team into the semis and in frenzied celebration.

Baron, meanwhile, came alive when her club needed her most, scored when it mattered and finished with nine hits.

“Napag-usapan last game na kailangan namin makapasok na may winning culture,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort.

The win avenged PLDT’s stinging five-set defeat to Chery Tiggo, 25-19, 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10, in the elimination round last Aug. 3

Later, Creamline swept arch rival Petro Gazz, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, to arrange a semifinal showdown with Cignal.

Bernadeth Pons was the star of the evening, dazzling with her crafty power tips and precise placement shots in the second set, completely unraveling the Angels’ net and floor defense.