Debuting Flink tows Petro Gazz over Iriga

MANILA, Philippines — Olena Lymareva-Flink made an auspicious debut, punching in a team-high 16 points as Petro Gazz whipped Iriga-Navy, 25-22, 30-28, 25-13, to string up back-to-back wins in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Centrer in San Juan yesterday.

Coming in to replace the injured Kadi Kullerkann of Estonia, Ukrainian Lymareva-Flink proved she’s up to the task and pumped in 12 kills and landed four aces while churning out 14 digs to tow the Angels to a 2-3 record for sixth spot.

“I am happy with the win but we need more practice. We have a new import (Lymareva-Flink) who could also play defense. Hopefully we could work on it more to build momentum,” said Angels coach Jerry Yee.

Complementing Lymareva-Flink’s hot numbers were Cherry Nunag, who dropped nine points, and Ukrainian Anastasiia Trach, who had eight she spiked with 12 excellent receptions and 10 digs.

American duo Lauren Whyte and Macy Ubben combined for 31 points for the Lady Oragons but failed to draw support anew as six locals coughed up no more than three markers.

Iriga-Navy fell to its third straight loss for a 1-3 mark at seventh.

Earlier, in men’s play, PLDT thumped Army, 25-15, 25-10, 25-23, to notch its second straight win for a 2-2 card while dealing the Troopers their third loss against a lone win.

In the other game, BanKo arrested a four-game slide with a stunning 18-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11 come-from-behind victory over PayMaya.

Meanwhile, the league motors back to Batangas City today featuring joint leader Creamline against Tacloban at 2 p.m. and co-leader BaliPure versus defending champion Pocari-Air Force at 4 p.m. at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

Nicole Tiamzon scored five of her 11 markers in the deciding fifth as the Perlas Spikers got back on track and improved to 2-4 while spoiling the 39-point eruption of High Flyer’s American reinforcement Tess Rountree.

American import Kia Bright and Thai Jutarat Montripila paced BanKo with 25 and 23, respectively.