MANILA, Philippines – A podium finish remains possible for BanKo-Perlas after they registered a four-set victory over Pocari Sweat-Air Force in Game 2 of their best-of-3 series in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Perlas Spikers recovered from a shaky start to dominate the rest of the way, eventually seizing a 23-25, 25-10, 25-14, 25-17 over the Lady Warriors.

With the victory, they tied the best-of-3 series at one game apiece. However, if the Creamline Cool Smashers defeat the PayMaya High Flyers in Game 2 of the finals later in the day, BanKo-Perlas will wind up with the bronze medal.

This is because Pocari-Air Force needed five sets to beat the Perlas Spikers in Game 1 last Sunday, while it took BanKo-Perlas just four sets to get the job done this time around.

“We’re praying na sana manalo na (ang Creamline) para matapos na, para makuha namin ang third place,” said BanKo-Perlas coach Dong dela Cruz after the game.

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Kia Bright shone once again for BanKo-Perlas, scoring 27 points on 23 kills and two aces while also contributing 18 digs. Thai import Jutarat Montripila put together an all-around effort of 19 points, 18 digs, and 10 receptions for a triple-double.

After dropping the opening frame in nail-biting fashion, the Perlas Spikers dominated the rest of the way with points coming from virtually all players.

The Lady Warriors, still playing without injured ace Myla Pablo, last threatened in the fourth set when they erased a seven-point lead to knot the count at 13 – due in part to errors from the Perlas Spikers.

But Pocari-Air Force’s rally was short-lived. Montripila and Bright fired back-to-back kills, sparking an 8-0 run that put BanKo-Perlas firmly back in control. The Perlas Spikers pounced on the Lady Warriors’ poor reception, with Bright and Amy Ahomiro scoring off wayward first balls to give their team a 21-13 lead.

Ahomiro finished with 11 points, including two aces and two blocks. Jem Ferrer had 23 excellent sets, and the Perlas Spikers got 26 free points off the Lady Warriors’ unforced errors.

“Kahit anong place naman 'yan basta nasa podium ka, magandang finish na,” dela Cruz said after the game. “Although hindi namin nakuha 'yung gusto namin na mag-laro sa finals, siguro hindi para sa amin.”

Maddie Palmer led Pocari with 14 points, while fellow import Arielle Love had 13 markers. However, the Lady Warriors sorely missed the scoring prowess of Pablo, as they tallied just 37 kills in the game against 56 for the Perlas Spikers.

If PayMaya beats Creamline in Game 2 of the best-of-3 finals, there will be a deciding Game 3 as well in the third-place series, set for Sunday.

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