F2 Logistics lived through a game of changing fortunes, turning the tide back to its side in the fifth set to repel a vastly-improved Farm Fresh side, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-8, and wheel back into contention in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Tuesday night.
Ivy Lacsina took over in a virtual one-on-one duel with Trisha Tubu in the decider, coming through with a couple of kill blocks and a pair of hits early as the Cargo Movers raced to a 4-0, 5-1 leads and never looked back to nail their third win in five games coming off a shutout loss to the Petro Gazz Angels.
As Tubu snapped the Foxies’ spell with a three-hit blast to put Farm Fresh back in the match, 3-6, Lacsina kept on her scoring spree, delivering a kill and an ace and the Cargo Movers were hardly threatened the rest of the way, coming up with answers to every Foxies’ challenge to the disappointment of the latter’s supporters.
And no less than the former National U standout closed out the two-hour, 14-minute battle, anchoring a combo play for her last kill that shattered the Foxies’ hopes for the elusive first win in a game characterized with intense back-and-forth action and marked by dramatic momentum shifts.
Lacsina dropped seven points in the decider to finish with 27 makers, including 21 attacks, four blocks and two aces, while rookie Jolina dela Cruz matched Lacsina’s output for an early career-high effort she laced with 10 excellent receptions.
“Siempre it’s still a learning process. Maybe this is part of birth pains of having a younger crop of players, kasi karamihan ng nasa loob, mga bata,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego.
“So, kailangan pa rin silang turuan how to score, what to feel, ano yung play. Marami pang kailangan na guidance but a win is a win,” added Diego. “But we have to learn every game kasi ung mga next matches will be tougher.”
Farm Fresh forced the decider in come-from-behind fashion with Tubu spiking the Foxies’ impressive late surge in the fourth with a cluster of hits as playmaker Louie Romero kept on going on their main hitter, who responded and delivered the last four points.
But the Foxies appeared to have lost their focus after earning a clear shot at a first-ever win after six straight defeats, failing to halt the Cargo Movers’ solid start in the fifth.
F2 Logistics’ victory, which lifted the Cargo Movers to joint sixth with the Cignal HD Spikers and the Akari Chargers, likewise put to naught Tubu’s equally-brilliant 30-point performance, including 28 on attacks, as she almost single-handedly carried the Foxies in the fourth set.
Tubu also made 12 excellent digs.
The Cargo Movers played without Myla Pablo (back), Kim Fajardo (knee) and Kianna Dy (knee) but Lacsina and dela Cruz more than filled up the slack with their awesome combined 54-point showing.
Ara Galang dished out a triple-double game of 13 points, 19 excellent receptions and 14 excellent digs while Aby Maraño and Ethan Arce chipped in seven markers apiece for F2 Logistics.
Dawn Catindig likewise shone on defense, putting up 34 excellent dig performance while Mars Alba posed 17 excellent sets and added three points for the Cargo Movers.
Kate Santiago backed Tubu with 14 points and eight excellent receptions while Alyssa Bertolano had 10 points and setter Louie Romero came up with 20 excellent sets and Cae Lazo produced 23 excellent digs and five excellent receptions for the Foxies, who fell to their 12th consecutive loss, counting the five in the Invitational Conference.
