Spikers shoot down Angels

BanKo-Perlas dominated the first two sets then struck back late in the third to fashion out a 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 victory over PetroGazz and clinch the No. 3 seeding in the semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Center.

The win shoved defending champion Pocari-Air Force (4-1) to the Final Four of the season-opening conference while PetroGazz, which hoped to force a playoff for a semis slot with a three or four-set win over BanKo-Perlas, bowed out with a 3-2 slate.

Bracing for a protracted duel, the Perlas Spikers made it a straight-set romp instead as they flashed top form and overpowered the Angels in the early going then shook off the latter’s gritty stand in the third with a strong finishing kick to complete the rout.

BanKo-Perlas swept the single round quarters to arrange an interesting semis faceoff with No. 2 PayMaya.

It was actually the Spikers’ seventh straight win counting their last two victories in the eliminations.

American import Kia Bright and Thai reinforcement Jutarat Montripila spearheaded the Spikers’ charge with the duo scoring big on backrow attacks that made it 24-19 in the third before Nicole Tiamzon finished off the Angels with an off-the-block hit.