PVL: F2 escapes Farm Fresh with a five-set thriller

THE F2 LOGISTICS squad had to dig deep to stop Farm Fresh Foxies from clinching their first franchise victory in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

The Cargo Movers, led by monster career performances from Ivy Lacsina and Jolina Dela Cruz, avoided a massive collapse against the winless Foxies, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-8, during Tuesday’s battle at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Lacsina and Dela Cruz combined for 54 points, each scoring 27. Lacsina came up big for the Cargo Movers in the fifth set, scoring six of the team’s first eight points. Meanwhile, Dela Cruz had a career-high 27 points, 10 digs and 10 receptions.

“Hindi ko naman po ine-expect ‘yung ganung scoring kasi dati naman, hindi ko naman siya nagagawa,” said Dela Cruz after her topnotch performance.

“Siguro with the help na rin of Coach Regine (Diego) and ‘yung coaches, binabalik nila ‘yung kumpyansa namin sa paluan.”

“Inisip na rin namin (as a team) na we need to get back on our winning ways na rin,” she added, as their win-loss record improved to 3-2.

The Cargo Movers were coming off a straight-set loss to Petro Gazz, which added fuel to the fire.

Lacsina acknowledged that she struggled to establish her rhythm at first. “Kanina nung mga first two sets, parang mayroon akong doubt every palo ko,” the 6’1” star explained.

But she did not let her reservations prevent her from getting a much-needed victory over Farm Fresh. “Syempre alam naman po natin ‘yung fifth set is hanggang 15 (points) lang. Parang sabi ko, wala namang mawawala sa akin kung ibibigay ko lahat,” she said.

Meanwhile, Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu, the league’s leading scorer, had another strong game with 30 points in a losing effort. Kate Santiago contributed 14 points and eight rebounds while Alyssa Bertolano added 10 more.

With a 0-7 win-loss record, the Foxies dropped further in the standings. It was the team’s 12th consecutive loss since joining the league’s invitational conference.

F2 Logistics hopes to keep up their strong play against the Gerflor Defenders as they enter the final stretch of the PVL on Thursday, November 9, at 12 noon.

The Farm Fresh Foxies will try to save their season during the game vs Gerflor on Tuesday.