MANILA, Philippines – Motolite exacted revenge on the Pacifictown Army Lady Troopers, edging them out in a five-set thriller, 25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-13, in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Sunday, June 16, at the Imus Sports Center. 

American import Channon Thompson fired a game-high 28 points off 23 attacks, 3 aces, and 2 blocks to give Motolite its 2nd win.

The Power Builders improved to 2-4, while Pacifictown stands at 3-3 in the tournament.

After Pacifictown spoiled Motolite’s PVL debut in the 1st round, the Power Builders impressed with a strong start in the 1st set. 

Motolite failed to match Pacifictown’s veteran skills in the 2nd and 3rd sets, but the Power Builders started to connect in the 4th set, which became a big factor to extending the match.

As Motolite held the 12-9 lead in the 5th set, Alina Bicar’s back-to-back aces cut the lead to one, 12-11, until import Krystle Esdelle allowed them to escape to complete the revenge win. 

Earlier, the PetroGazz Angels swept the Balipure Water Defenders with another straight-set domination, 25-19, 25-22, 25-18. 

Janisa Johnson’s 17-point outing kept PetroGazz on top of the table with a perfect 7-0 record.

Still winless in the tournament, the Water Defenders stayed within reach of the Angels in the 1st set, 15-16.

Down the stretch, PetroGazz pulled away to a comfortable six-point advantage, 23-17, denying Balipure of taking the opening frame.

Balipure came up with another scare in the 2nd set by tying the score 17-all. The Angels’ lethal frontline of Johnson and Cuban player Wilma Salas powered the undefeated team to a 2-0 match advantage. 

Unlike the first two sets, PetroGazz took control of the entire 3rd set that led to its seventh straight win of the tournament. – Rappler.com