A STRAIGHT-SET escape and a five-set upset pushed KingWhale-Taipei closer to a dream finals appearance—providing a nightmare of sorts to two local squads—as the visiting team sets out for a third straight victory and a crack at the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference crown. ‘The competition made us learn and it taught us many things,’ said KingWhale coach Teng Yen-Min after the Taiwanese stunned the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a big fifth set rally, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13, at the SM MOA Arena last Tuesday.