IVY Perez sustained her solid play as Army-Black Mamba moved on the cusp of securing a place in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference semifinals with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-22 conquest of Chery Tiggo yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Perez fired a set-clinching service ace in the second and tossed in Joanne Bunag’s match-sealing kill that sent the Lady Troopers to their third win in five matches, while eliminating the Crossovers in the semis picture.

Army can make it to the semifinals outright with a PLDT win over Choco Mucho tomorrow. The Flying Titans, who sit in fifth place at 1-3, are trailing the Lady Troopers by one-and-a-half game.

Perez came through with 18 excellent sets to go with two aces for Army.

Coach Kungfu Reyes credited Perez for the Lady Troopers turnaround in the mid-season tournament, which will have foreign teams from Japan and Taiwan in the six-team semifinals.

“Wala kami dito kung wala si Ivy,” said Reyes, who returned after sitting out the last three matches due to health and safety protocols.

“We are a veteran team. Veteran players, good spikers, kailangan lang namin ng maayos at matibay na setter. Kaya sabi ko kay Ivy, redeem yourself and this is your time,” he added.

Perez, who has been compared to legendary Army setter Tina Salak, is simply motivated this conference.

“Thankful ako sa tiwala na ibinibigay sa akin ng mga coaches ko, ng mga teammates ko,” said Perez.

Jovelyn Gonzaga led the Lady Troopers with 15 points, including three blocks, 18 digs and seven receptions, Audrey Paran added eight points while Anne Esguerra and Perez each scored six points.

With its fourth loss in five matches, Chery Tiggo joined PetroGazz in early vacation.

Mylene Paat tallied 11 points, including two blocks, while Shaya Adorador also had 11 points to go with 11 receptions for the Crossovers.

Games tomorrow

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
2:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs PLDT
5:30 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Creamline