Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro pulled off a surprise when he started Jem Ferrer as a setter in their much-anticipated duel against F2 Logistics in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Ferrer didn’t disappoint as she shone with 20 excellent sets on top of four points to help Flying Titans edge the Cargo Movers, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20. 26-24, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
Almadro lauded both setters including Deanna Wong, who came off the bench this time, but it was the grizzled veteran playmaker who delivered a performance worthy of high praises.
“Good thing for both of them, they really work hard. That’s important for a setter because a good setter (makes) a good team. They both showed they are good,” said Almadro in Filipino.
Ferrer orchestrated the brilliant plays as Odina Aliyeva exploded for 27 points, while Kat Tolentino, Bea De Leon, and Isa Molde made ample contributions. Libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla took care of floor defense.
Wong, who had a nine-excellent set performance in their three-set loss to Petro Gazz last Tuesday, made some quality minutes coming off the bench.
Almadro said their starting setter for the next games will remain as a surprise, believing the best is yet to come for both Ferrer and Wong.
“We’ll see. Let’s keep the surprise,” the Choco Mucho coach said. “They will be better than their best every game. What’s important is they will help their teammates for us to reach the place where we want to be this year.”
Ferrer, who signed with the Flying Titans for this season, deflected the credit to Revilla’s floor defense.
“Ate Den played great. She made sure to always kept the ball in play. And in this game, we really trusted the system of Coach O,” she said in Filipino.
The Ateneo standout, who was a member of the Fab Five era, also praised Aliyeva’s leadership aside from her prolific offense.
“She is really hardworking and vocal inside the court since she already gained a lot of experience playing in different countries. So we make some adjustments for her inside the court and she’s always helping us,” Ferrer said.