F2 Logistics outhustles Creamline in five-set thriller

F2 Logistics displayed nerves of steel in a great escape over erstwhile unbeaten defending champion Creamline, 23-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Cargo Movers clawed their way out of the jaws of defeat with a spirited comeback from 12-14 down in the deciding frame to shock the Cool Smashers in front of a roaring 6,765-strong crowd.

Myla Pablo uncorked a personal conference-high 27 points built off 22 attacks and a season-best five kill blocks in F2 Logistics' huge bounce back win from a straight sets loss to undefeated Chery Tiggo to tie its victim in second spot with 3-1 win-loss record.

"I am very proud of the team because they fought really well today. It feels like ayaw talaga nila ibigay yung laban which is how it should be in all teams," Cargo Movers head coach Regine Diego said of another five-set thriller win over the same squad her wards defeated in their first-ever meeting in the PVL Reinforced Conference last year.

"So I'm really very happy for this win and hopefully madala namin siya for the next few games. We cannot be complacent," she added.

F2 Logistics saved two match points after Creamline committed back-to-back errors. Kim Kianna Dy shut the door on Tots Carlos to push the Cargo Movers at match point before Ivy Lacsina landed the most important ace in her two service winners to close the two-and-a-half-hour encounter.

Skipper Aby Marano scored 14 points anchored on 11 hits while Dy rebounded from a one-point outing in the previous game with 11 markers for F2 Logistics, which rallied from an 18-21 deficit in the fourth frame with a closing 7-2 salvo to extend the match.

Dawn Macandili tallied 19 digs and 14 excellent reception, Ara Galang had an all-around performance of eight points, 17 digs and nine receptions while Kim Fajardo dished out 27 excellent sets for the Cargo Movers, who took the win despite getting outgunned by the Cool Smashers, 51-63. Lacsina finished with seven points including the game-winning ace.

Creamline threw away 34 costly errors including 11 in the fourth frame.

Carlos got 21 points, 11 digs and nine excellent receptions to lead the Cool Smashers. Jema Galanza posted 18 markers while Jeanette Panaga and Michele Gumabao had 14 markers each in a losing effort for Creamline.