The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers are advancing into the semifinals of the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference after flaunting their might over the Foton Tornadoes yesterday.
The Cargo Movers took care of the business right from the get go as they needed only three sets to pulverize the Tornadoes, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
F2 finished the Pool B campaign with a 4-1 record, including the most crucial win over Foton, to advance to the round-robin semifinals.
Meanwhile, Foton slid to fifth place with a 1-4 slate.
“This victory, siyempre, grateful kami kasi nakabalik kami sa panalo, but we can’t be relaxed and we can’t be overconfident kasi pagpasok sa semis, it’s going to be hard battles again. Hopefully, this is good preparation for the semis,” head coach Regine Diego said.
Ivy Lacsina steered the Cargo Movers with 16 points on 11 attacks, three aces and two blocks, but she also got ample support from Majoy Baron, who tallied 12 points — enough to earn the Best Player of the Game nod.
This is the second straight conference that the Cargo Movers are moving into the playoff round of the league.
On the other hand, Foton was relegated to battle for 11th place in the classification round against the Gerflor Defenders.
F2 cruised to an early 12-7 lead in the third frame after Kim Kianna Dy’s down-the-line kill and Lacsina’s off-the-block spike.
They further widened the gap to double digits as Myla Pablo and Dy pulled their acts together to mount a 19-9 advantage.
Foton would try to string down a series of points for a 12-19 deficit, but team captain Aby Maraño sparked a 5-0 bomb through a tap and finished by a crosscourt spike by Pablo, 24-12.
No player from the Tornadoes scored in double figures, with Jasmine Nabor leading the charge with just nine markers. Shaya Adorador, the go-to spiker of the team, was limited to just six markers.
In the second set, Foton gave the Cargo Movers a little scare as Sydney Niegos unleashed a quick hit before an error from F2 to trail by just two points, 17-19.
But F2 dropped yet another 5-0 spurt, starting from a down-the-line spike by Lacsina to reach set point, 24-17. (ABS-CBN News)