LIPA City – California Precision Sports (CPS) produced the biggest upset in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League with an 18-25, 12-15, 25-22, 25-14, 15-13 squeaker over Petro Gazz on Wednesday at the Aquamarine Recreational Center.
Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero scored 22 points each as the Antipolo-based CPS capped its well-praised participation in the tournament with a 2-3 win-loss card.
It was a major accomplishment for a bunch of senior high school standouts who were just too good to be true.
“Every game is a championship game. We can’t treat it as if there’s nothing. We need to leave everything on the floor because it is our last game,” skipper Kizzie Madriaga, who had 13 digs and 13 excellent sets, said.
The 16-year-old Dongallo, who hails from Catmon, Cebu, ended her stint with a league-best 95 points and is expected to contend to become a part of the Dream Team, being one of the two best outside spikers in the tournament.
“Compared to outside hitters like Ate Kalei [Mau]…compared to her and the others, they have a better percentages than me,” Dongallo said. “But if I will get the award, thank you.”
Gajero was also impressive on both ends on the floor and collected 19 digs and 15 receptions.
A solid single block on Myla Pablo, Gajero’s second in the match, gave CPS a 10-6 cushion in the fifth set—proof that she has what it takes to become one of the players to watch in the future.
“I’m just trying my best. Our opponents are professional players, so I have to battle it out not only in hitting,” the 17-year old Gajero said. “I need to help in passing for the team to have great offense and helping in floor defense.”
The Angels were headed for a shutout win after leading 22-19 in the third when Dongallo and Gajero displayed a “never quit” attitude to carry coach Jerry Yee’s side to victory.
The loss, the second in four matches, puts Petro Gazz in a do-or-die game with the Tuguegarao Perlas Spikers for the bronze medal at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25.
In the other match, Chery Tiggo, priming up for its much-anticipated duel with F2 Logistics for the championship, coasted to a 25-13, 25-17, 25-14 win over Baguio City.
The Crossovers, who were led by May Luna’s 11 points, are assured of at least a silver medal with a 3-1 record behind the Cargo Movers’ 4-0 slate.
F2 Logistics, which has yet to drop a set, goes for the gold medal against the reigning Premiere Volleyball League Open Conference champions at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
The team with the best record after the six-day tournament will be the country’s representative to the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in May next year.
A three- or four-set victory will give Chery Tiggo the crown, but a five-set victory will not be enough for coach Aaron Velez’s side to escape with the trophy because of their inferior points and set ratio quotient.
In the first tiebreaker, the Crossovers are trailing the Cargo Movers, 10-12, as well as in the set ratio, where F2 Logistics is 12-0 compared to Chery Tiggo’s 11-4. (PNVF) – bny
