Perlas overpowers Power Smashers
Games Today (Philsports Arena, Pasig City) 4 p.m. – Perlas vs BaliPure 6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Power Smashers
Perlas Spikers survived the Power Smashers’ spirited challenge in the first two sets and pulled off a 27-25, 2624, 25-19 win in the Premier Volleyball League women’s tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Brazilian import Rupia Inck fired 19 points built on 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces for the Perlas Spikers, who scored their second straight victory to improve their win-loss record to 5-3.
Japanese setter Naoko Hashimoto also proved vital in Perlas’ assault by providing variety of plays that shattered the Power Smashers’ defense from time to time.
The 32-year-old Hashimoto, a member of the Japanese team that won the 2013 Asian Championship, managed 25 excellent sets to outplay Power Smashers’ setter Vira May Guillema, who only had 13 sets for her team.
The Power Smashers fell to their fourth loss against three victories in the middle standings despite Thai reinforcements Kannika Tipachot and Hyapa Amporn spearheading the squad with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, imports Jang Bualee and Jennifer Keddy joined hands for 35 points as BaliPure blasted Air Force, 25-17, 25-12, 25-17.
Bualee and Keddy also combined for 26 of the team’s 45 attacks for the Water Defenders, who picked up their fifth win against two losses.
Air Force sank to its seventh defeat against a lone victory with no player scoring in double figures.
Jocemer Tapic and Thai reinforcement Patcharee Saengmuang managed only seven and five points, respectively, for the Lady Jet Spikers.