King Whale takes thriller

MANILA, Philippines — King Whale of Taipei battled its way back from four points down in the fifth and final set as it eked out a 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13 victory over PLDT yesterday to boost its bid in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational at the MOA Arena.

Brazilian Beatriz Flavio de Carvalho endured cramps and paced her team with 19 points including 15 off attacks and three on blocks while Chen Li Jung scattered 13 hits.

It was Chen Li Jun though who came through when needed the most as she unleashed key kills late to lead the Taiwanese club back from 11-7 and 8-12 deficits and into their second straight victory.

The Power Hitters had a chance to extend the match at 13-14 with Mika Reyes serving.

But the usually steady middle blocker succumbed to tremendous pressure and served straight to the net – her fifth service error in the duel – that sealed PLDT’s second defeat against the same number of triumphs.

It may have also cost the franchise a spot in the championship round.

The result gave idle Creamline, unbeaten in three games, a free passage to the one-game finale slated Sunday at the MOA Arena.

Interestingly, King Whale will test Creamline’s mettle in their much-awaited showdown on Friday in San Juan that could be a sneak preview of the finale.

The visiting team next tackles Cignal on Saturday also in San Juan.

PLDT took control early after snatching the opening set in a heated set that could have gone either way.

But King Whale made the necessary adjustments and minimized committing errors to snatch the next two sets and control of the fourth.

Carvalho though was taken out due to cramps in the middle of the fourth set, an opening the Power Hitters pounded to turn things around in their favor, snatching the set, the lead and what appeared first as momentum after seizing a four-hit lead.

But King Whale wouldn’t be denied.

Crucial errors by the Power Hitters did them in.