PLDT outlasts Cagayan Valley in Super Liga

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT Home TVolution flirted with disaster before surviving with a scary 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23 victory over Cagayan Valley in the 2014 PLDT Home DSL-Philippine Super Liga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference volleyball tournament yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Skipper Sue Roces had a strong start and an even stronger finish to bail the Power Attackers out of trouble for their first win in the women’s division of this premier club tournament supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical.

Roces finished with 17 kills, three blocks and a total of 17 points for PLDT, which avenged its debut loss to newcomer AirAsia in this competition organized by Sports Core with Solar Sports as broadcast partner.

Rysabelle Devanadera and Maruja Banaticla backed Roces with their 15 and 12 points, respectively.

“It was a good win, but we looked tired and slow in the third and fourth sets,” said PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb, noting that his wards couldn’t focus on practice due to their respective full-time jobs outside volleyball.

“Surely we could’ve lost if the games lasted longer. We’re too tired because of lack of practice. The PSL is not an ordinary league. You have to be superfit every time.”

True enough, after easily booking the first two sets, the Power Attackers lost steam in the third as their leading hitter, Roces, suddenly couldn’t find her mark in the face of  the defensive wall erected by Pau Soriano and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and the backline defense of libero Bang Pineda.

Roces, Devanadera and Banaticla regained their bearing in the fourth set , giving PLDT an 18-13 lead.