Rountree hammers 22 as High Flyers get off to flying PVL start

MANILA, Philippines – PayMaya survived a tight second-set duel on the way to a 25-8, 33-31, 25-20 victory over newcomer Tacloban at the start of the second season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Sunday, May 6, at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

With imports Tess Rountree and Shelby Sullivan combining with local ace Grethcel Soltones in the third set, the High Flyers, who used to carry the PLDT banner, completed the expected straight-set romp over the tournament first-timers following a scare in the second.

“We actually got to train as a complete team only last week, so the players are still adjusting (to the system),” said PayMaya coach Roger Gorayeb, referring to his FEU players who saw action in the UAAP finals.

Rountree hammered in 20 kills and finished with 22 points on top of 11 digs.

Sullivan added 15 points and Soltones chipped in 9 for PayMaya, which also drew 24 excellent sets from Jasmine Nabor. 

PayMaya dominated Tacloban in all departments, producing 50 attack points against the 29 of the Warays for a promising start in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Asics and Mikasa.

The High Flyers also overpowered their rivals in points off blocks (8-1) and aces (11-6). 

Although the High Flyers imposed their will early, a resurgent Fighting Warays came back with Jovelyn Prado spearheading their fightback in the second frame by saving two set points to force a tie at 24.

Tacloban kept fighting and forcing deuces in succeeding plays, even grabbing a 29-28 lead on Thai import Hyapha Amporn attack. But Soltones quickly countered with a kill before Aiko Urdas blasted in a spike and came up with a kill block to end the hotly disputed set.

The Fighting Warays actually kept the game close in the third but the High Flyers re-imposed their will with Rountree, Sullivan and Soltones anchoring the team’s strong finishing kick.

Prado ended up with 12 hits while Amporn and reigning NCAA MVP Shola Alvarez combined for 15 points. The team’s other import, Sasiwimol Sangpan of Thailand, ended up with 4 points.

In men’s play, Vice Co. marked its debut its style, fashioning out a 25-13, 25-16, 27-29, 25-21 victory over veteran team Army.

FEU standout Peter Quiel fired 14 hits while JP Bugaoan added 12 points and skipper Berlin Paglinawan and Adamson’s Paolo Pablico chipped in 11 apiece as the Blockbusters stunned the Troopers despite the absence of celebrity team owner-player Vice Ganda.

Owen Suarez tallied 20 excellent sets for the cosmetics franchise.

Benjaylo Labide and Patrick Rojas combined for 35 points for the Troopers. – Rappler.com