By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Farm Fresh Foxies clawed back from two sets down to defeat the Capital1 Solar Energy Power Spikers, 18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12, in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday night, February 18.
Negrense Alyssa Bertolano finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 excellent receptions as the Foxies concluded their elimination round campaign with a 5-6 win-loss slate.
Rachel Anne Daquis tallied 19 points, on 17 attacks and two blocks, to go with 13 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Caitlyn Viray, Rizza Cruz and Pierre Abellana had 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Farm Fresh.
“Ito ‘yung first fifth set game ko simula pagbalik ko,” Daquis said after the game.
“Sanay tayo sa labanang ganun. Syempre, gusto natin ‘yung mga crucial talaga. Happy ako na maganda ‘yung resulta. Ang mindset ko naman kaya ako kinuha ng Farm Fresh is para tumulong. Ginampanan ko lang naman ang aking trabaho,” she said.
“Nag-struggle ako nung first two sets, but naka-adjust ang buong team, kaya gumanda rin ‘yung game namin,” she added.
Heather Guino-o finished with 16 points.
Leila Cruz and Sydney Niegos added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, while Jorelle Singh and Lourdes Clemente ended with 11 apiece as the Power Spikers dropped to 1-10.
Meanwhile, the Cignal HD Spikers cruised to a dominant 25-17, 25-15, 25-21 victory over the Akari Power Chargers to secure the No. 3 seed in the standings with an 8-3 win-loss slate.
Roselyn Doria-Aquino stepped up offensively with 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks, to go with two excellent digs, to be named Player of the Game for the HD Spikers.
“Motivation namin is tuloy tuloy lang kung ano ‘yung magandang ginagawa ng team,” Doria-Aquino said during her post-game interview.
“Team effort talaga and kudos din sa coaches namin na tsinatyaga talaga kami,” she added.
Vanessa Gandler led the way for the HD Spikers with 15 points on 14 attacks and one service ace, while rookie Ma. Rochelle “Ishie” Lalongisip continued her fine play with 10 markers./ASC, WDJ