The PayMaya High Flyers recovered from a couple of stumbles to secure an outright spot in the semifinal round of the 2018 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference. Following losses to No. 1 team Creamline Cool Smashers and eventual semis opponent BanKo Perlas Spikers, the debuting volleyball club finished the preliminaries stronger with a 5-2 win-loss record as the second seed.
PayMaya may have fallen to a streaking BanKo in Game 1 (25-19, 26-28, 25-23, 25-23), but a trip to the Finals is still very much attainable for the former.
If they can shake off the rust from qualifying early, and these volleybelles below bring their “A” game during the next Semis match, the High Flyers will have the chance to advance to the best-of-three championship series in just their maiden season.
Catch their Game 2 versus the BanKo Perlas Spikers on July 4 (Wednesday) at 1:45 PM at the FilOil Flying V Centre or online via the ABS-CBN Sports & Action stream!
Tess Rountree
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports
There’s no doubt that the 6’2” American outside hitter will be the focal point of PayMaya’s attack, after averaging 23.7 points in seven preliminary games—including a 39-point explosion vs Perlas Spikers—as the tournament’s top scorer.
Despite her individual brilliance, Rountree needs all the help she can get from their other import and local players.
Shelby Sullivan
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports
Sullivan has a lot to prove in the next couple of games; following an impressive debut against Tacloban Fighting Warays, where she scored 15, her only other double-digit outing was versus Iriga City-Navy Oragons (11).
Expect the 6’2” middle blocker from the US to redeem herself during matches of greater significance for the High Flyers.
Jasmine Nabor
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports
The National University stalwart is a nightly threat to put up 20 excellent sets, with her best performances coming at the expense of Petro Gazz Angels (30) and Tacloban (24).
The 5’9” Nabor, who also serves as captain, has to continue playing bigger than her actual size for PayMaya to get over the hump and make it to the PVL Finals.
Jerrili Malabanan
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports
Malabanan is one of Coach Gorayeb’s more consistent spikers, usually the remaining bright spot aside from his foreign guest players and Nabor. She was solid against Pocari Sweat-Air Force Lady Warriors (9 pts) and BanKo (11 pts).
Whenever the High Flyers need a quick break, count on the 5’10” opposite from Far Eastern University to deliver.
Grethcel Soltones
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN Sports
The three-time NCAA Most Valuable Player (Season 90, 91, 92), who suited up for the San Sebastian Lady Stags, seems to be peaking at the right time. Soltones broke out against Petro (12 pts) and sustained her fine play versus BaliPure Purest Water Defenders (11).
The 5’8” outside hitter will be relied upon by PayMaya when the going gets tough.
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