MANILA, Philippines – The Pacifictown Army Lady Troopers hacked out a four-set win over Banko Perlas, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, that put them at the forefront of the bronze medal race in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Saturday, July 13, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The victory tied the series at 1-1, but in case the championship showdown between Creamline and PetroGazz doesn’t extend to Game 3, the Lady Troopers will win by tiebreak as Banko Perlas took Game 1 in 5 sets.

Royse Tubino fired 23 points off 20 attacks and 3 aces to lead the Lady Troopers.

“’Pag nakita mo na kasama team mo sa level ng pag-angat – kasi siyempre ’yung import nandiyan – pero ’yung galaw ng locals sa decision-making ng setters, iyon ’yung maganda,” said Pacifictown head coach Kung Fu Reyes of the local players who stepped up.

(When you see your team improve, it’s like the local players are improving along with the imports by moving well towards the decision-making of the setters. That’s what’s good about it.)

After stumbling in the 2nd set, veteran Tubino lifted the Lady Troopers to deny the Perlas Spikers of their usual come-from-behind performance.

Tubino’s go-ahead off-the-block attack sparked Pacifictown’s 6-1 run that closed out the 3rd set for a 2-1 match advantage. 

Banko Perlas struggled to recover in the 4th set, but a crucial 5-0 run capped off by Thai import Sutadha Chuewulim tied the score at 20-all.

The Lady Troopers, though, escaped the deadlock and Olena Lymareva-Flink’s attack sealed the win.

Chuewulim led the Banko Perlas Spikers in a losing effort with 14 points off 11 attacks and 3 aces. – Rappler.com