By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors entered the win column of the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference after a 25-18, 25-19, 25-21 sweep of PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters on Monday night at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Marjana Philips led the Lady Realtors (1-1) with 14 points, including five blocks, while Aklanon middle blocker Dell Palomata added 12 markers, on nine attacks, two blocks and a service ace.
Mika Reyes, meanwhile, bounced back from a subpar showing last Saturday as she delivered 11 markers, while Negrense Jonah Sabete flirted with triple-double with nine points, 19 excellent digs, and 10 excellent receptions.
Just like the Petro Gazz Angels-Black Mamba Army Lady Troopers match last Sunday, the Lady Realtors-Power Hitters match was also delayed for around 40 minutes due to heavy downpour in Ilocos Norte that made the venue unplayable.
As the match resumed, the Lady Realtors nearly lost its 20-15 lead in the second set but managed to regroup and finished off the set on back-to-back hits by Palomata and a power hit by Sabete.
The Lady Realtors unloaded an 8-2 scoring blast behind Palomata and Sabete to build a 19-11 lead in the third frame but the Power Hitters clawed to within 21-22. Sta. Lucia then leaned on Philip and Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to complete the sweep win.
Maria Lina Molde tallied 11 points, while Negrense Christine Joy Soyud and Jorelle Singh ended up with nine markers apiece as the Power Hitters suffered its second loss in as many games.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo Crossovers kept its power game humming and steamrolled Cignal HD Spikers for a 25-16, 25-13, 25-19 straight set romp and took a 2-0 edge in the standings.
The Crossovers leaned on Jaja Santiago and Arriane Layug as they started strong in all three sets before preventing the attempted fight back from the HD Spikers for a sweep win.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker Santiago and Layug led the charge with 15 points each, having the same stat-line of 11 attacks, three aces and a block, while Dindin Santiago-Manabat added seven markers in two sets of play for the Crossovers./ASC, WDJ