MANILA, Philippines – The Pacifictown Army Lady Troopers downed the debuting Motolite team in 4 sets, 25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Saturday, June 1, at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. 

Veteran Royse Tubino powered the team with 18 points off 16 attacks, 1 block and 1 ace as Pacifictown bounced back to improve its record to 2-1. 

The Motolite team – composed of collegiate stars from University of the Philippines and Adamson University –  showed signs of life in the 3rd set as it built from a 7-1 start to prevent a sweep.

As the young contender extended the match to a 4th set, the veteran experience of Pacifictown prevailed as it raced to set point, 24-17. But Motolite managed to spark a 4-0 run before Lena Lymaerva-Flink sealed the win. 

Earlier, Banko Perlas earned its first win of the conference over the BaliPure Water Defenders in 4 sets, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 25-16. 

Kathy Bersola powered the Perlas Spikers with 15 points off 7 attacks 6 blocks and 2 aces. 

The Perlas Spikers climbed to a 1-1 slate while BaliPure fell to 0-2. 

Banko Perlas blew an 11-5 lead in the 2nd set as back-to-back  aces by BaliPure guest player Danijela Djakovic sparked a rally from the Water Defenders. 

BaliPure nabbed its first lead at the 14-13 mark and capitalized on Banko’s struggling floor defense to take the 2nd frame. 

However, the 2018 Reinforced Conference bronze medalists recovered in the last two sets thanks to former UP duo Nicole Tiamzon and Kathy Bersola. – Rappler.com