In a heart-pounding showdown at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, F2 Logistics showcased the tenacity and determination of its young talent, narrowly defeating the winless Farm Fresh in a thrilling five-set match.
The Cargo Movers, led by a dynamic mix of promising rookies and seasoned veterans, ultimately secured the win with a scoreline of 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-8 on a Tuesday night that will be etched in their memory.
As the battle unfolded, Mars Alba, Jolina Dela Cruz, Ethan Arce, and Ivy Lacsina, the young and energetic core of the team, took the lead alongside the experienced Aby Maraño, Ara Galang, and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
The match proved to be a challenging test for the emerging stars, and it underlined the importance of experience and maturity in the world of professional volleyball.
Head coach Regine Diego, reflecting on the nerve-wracking encounter, shared her perspective on the significance of such intense five-set matches.
"Well, it's a good thing because it makes them realize the consequences of wasting points and the need for a certain level of play," said Diego after their grueling two-hour and 14-minute bout with Farm Fresh. "This team needs more guidance and reminders because they're younger, and it's all part of their growth in the professional league."
Despite the need for five sets to secure the victory, the young players rose to the occasion. Jolina Dela Cruz and Ivy Lacsina both achieved career-highs with an impressive 27 points each.
Dela Cruz's contribution extended beyond scoring, as she also registered 10 digs and 10 receptions. Ethan Arce chipped in with seven points, while Mars Alba demonstrated her skills with 17 excellent sets in addition to three points.
The victory was cherished, but Coach Diego emphasized that it was a hard-fought one, with the youth of her team being evident throughout the match.
"Of course, it's still a learning process. This might be the birth pains of having younger players because most of our players today are still young," explained Diego, who was missing key players Myla Pablo and Kianna Dy due to injuries. "They still need guidance on how to score points, what to anticipate, and what plays to execute."
With a 3-2 record, the Cargo Movers find themselves tied with Akari for the seventh and eighth spots, making the road to the semifinals challenging. They will need to step up their game, as only the top four teams after the elimination round will advance to the semifinals.
In the critical fifth set, it was Jolina Dela Cruz and Ivy Lacsina who delivered the crucial points for F2 Logistics. They displayed remarkable chemistry on the court, sharing glances and ensuring they had each other's back.
"I kept telling ourselves that we couldn't afford to lose today, especially since we were up against players we knew from our college days. We didn't want to lose to them," Dela Cruz shared, referring to the Farm Fresh team primarily composed of former Adamson University players.
"In the fifth set, we always made eye contact and said, 'We need to support each other here. We can't afford to lag behind in their game. Our performance needs to be better and better.'"
Next on the horizon for the Cargo Movers is a match against Gerflor, another winless team. Coach Diego hopes that her team will remember the invaluable lessons learned from their intense five-set battle against the Foxies.
She left her team with a simple yet powerful message: "From this game, let's hope they never forget that they can't relax until it's over. That's all."
In a rollercoaster of a match that showcased the resilience and potential of F2 Logistics' young stars, one thing became abundantly clear - the journey of these emerging athletes is only just beginning.
With the experience gained from matches like these, the future looks promising for the Cargo Movers as they strive to secure a spot in the semifinals and continue their pursuit of glory in the world of professional volleyball.
