LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Buguias battled from six point down to take the third set and complete a sweep of Atok, 25-18-25-20-27-25, in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Women’s Volleyball League Sunday at the Benguet Sports Complex.
A costly call at set point, 25-24, against Iana Santos proved disastrous for Atok that led to the game’s only deuce. Buguias won two more including the game winning spike of Jhanelle Visperas who just came out of the bench in place of Aizel Bantac.
It was a rather a slow start for Buguias which missed two of its top hitters in Geneveb Buyagan and Desiree Joy Banih. The former, the team’s captain, is still in Zambales for the Yuletide break, while the latter has to attend to school matters.
But Evangeline Bay-an, Eloise Manganip and Sandra Betwing were more than up top the task to lift the team against an Atok squad which is coming from a two-game win including the five set thriller against Bokod last December 16.
“We are still on a holiday mode and we haven’t have practice,” said coach Tier Bigo as he acknowledged the absence of the two players and their contribution to the team.
Bay-an and Jocelyn Vinegas led Buguias with 10 points a piece, Aiza Tammy had nine, while Visperas added eight points for the winning team.
Amorhy Paoad led Atok anew with 10 markers on seven attack points and three aces.
Down 8-2 early in the third, Buguias fought back and take the lead at 9-8 and appeared that Atok has lost its composure. Primed for match point at 24-20, Atok fought back to even it and even take the lead.
It was the fourth victory against three defeats for Buguias which place them tied for Itogon which will play powerhouse and league leader Sablan later in the day.
Atok, meanwhile fell to 3-7 (win-loss) and could yet get the eighth and last spot with Mankayan the only block in its path. CEGYCC Release
