ILOCOS NORTE -- Sta. Lucia started its Premier Volleyball League Open Conference campaign on the wrong foot after dropping three of its first four games.
Another loss could be detrimental to the squad, but luckily for them, though, a sparkplug in the form of Jovielyn Prado pumped life to the Lady Realtors' final four dreams.
Inserted in the starting six by head coach Eddieson Orcullo in their crucial match against Black Mamba-Army last Monday, Prado unloaded 17 points to help snap the Lady Realtors' two-game skid through a huge four-set, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18 win over the Lady Troopers.
The 24-year-old dynamo's impressive all-around play display did not stop there, tallying 19 points, 14 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions in Sta. Lucia's five-set escape act against Chery Tiggo, 25-20, 25-12, 24-26, 21-25, 15-10, last Wednesday.
Prado's efforts kept the Lady Realtors at fifth place with a 3-3 win-loss slate.
"Thankful ako kay coach kasi sa wakas sa pang limang game namin naka pasok ako [sa first six] kasi pinu-push ko rin yung sarili ko na mapasok sa first six," said the Arellano University product.
"Masaya ako sa nakuha naming resulta kasi kailangan naming mag habol kasi nakatatlong talo ba kami so kailangan naming kumilos nang maayos kasi kailangan naming habuli na at least makapasok kami ng top four," she added.
For her heroics, Prado rightfully earned the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week awarded by media from print and online covering the volleyball beat.
The 5-foot-8 outside hitter edged Petro Gazz's Ria Meneses, Choco Mucho's Kat Tolentino, and Chery Tiggo's Jaja Santiago for the weekly citation.
"Si Jovie kasi isa sa mga may potential na player. So given na siya yung pamatay sunog 'pag ka ipapasok siya pero this time kasi medyo kailangan talaga nating gamitan ng matinding adjustments e," said Orcullo.
"Kaya ayun, nag pay off naman, nakita natin kung paano siya lumaban kaya ayos."
