LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – La Trinidad bucked a second set loss, climbed from five points down in the third set deficit then saved five set points to win in four sets, 25-17, 26-28, 27+25, 25-14, and salvage a third place finish in the Cong. Eric Go Yap Congressional Cup – Benguet Women’s V-League at the Benguet Sports Complex here Tuesday.
Stephanie Torres exploded with 29 points on 23 attack, five aces and a block to lead a rather erratic La Trinidad to the victory that took an hour and 47 minutes.
Torres almost single handedly willed her team to the great third set victory after Kapangan was serving at set point, 24-20. From there Trinidad won four straight points punctuated with a drop ball. But Kapangan answered with a Jetemae Bulcio attack to move to set point anew.
Torres repeated with a drop ball of their own at almost the same spot to tie the game.
Setter and veteran Shirley Balantac had herself substituted by Iryll Gawageo as the second setter helped the team for the point then had a service ace to finish off Kapangam in the fourth set.
It was a La Trinidad show by then as it raced to a 7-2 lead, which Kapangan, thanks to its unwaivering defense battles to 7-8.
An 8-4 Trinidad run made it 16-11 before unleashing another 4-0 run to make it 20-11.
From there, it was an easy picking for the erstwhile second seed with a 5-3 closing to finish the game and the third – place finish.
“We were not able to practice the whole time during the long break,” said a Torres, who paced all players in the post season with a 22 points per game average.
Elyzel Nunez backstopped the presently graduate University of Baguio Cardinals with 15 markers on 14 attacks and an ace, while Floralex Budas added 11.
Heidi Tallocoy led Trinidad’s defense with 19 digs and reception, while adding six attack points.
“She is my player of the game,” said Balantac of Tallocoy, while adding that defense paid off for them.
But she praised Kapangan’s great defense that put them off.
“Luckily we recovered and got the win,” added the four – time Baguio Benguet Educational Athletic League champion with the Saint Louis University, who had 21 excellent points.
Lovely Balagat and Bulcio led Kapangan with 14 points each.
Phoebe Aludos led Kapangan’s great wall with 33 digs and reception as she made her case for the best setter stronger. CEGYCC Release
