The Cocolife Asset Managers again settled at .500 in the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after sweeping the Iriga City Oragons, 25-23, 25-15, 26-24, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Asset Managers, shuffling their local players, leaned heavily on their imports for offense. They escaped their struggling foes in the first set after Taylor Milton and Tai Manu-Olevao powered in back-to-back hits to break a 23-all deadlock and end the first set. After dominatinf the second frame, Cocolife fielded in most of their bench to start the third frame.
The final set was close throughout with Iriga City bucking a three-point gap and threatening to extend the match, 24-23, after a Milton mis-hit. The Asset Managers’ lefty import, however, quickly made up for her infraction, swinging in for the next two points. Iriga City did themselves in after a net touch call on Joyce Sta. Rita.
Milton finished with 20 points, 19 coming from attacks. Manu-Olevao added 19 markers off 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
“Kapag kumirap ka sa Iriga, talagang tutuhugin ka nila,” claimed Cocolife’s brash head coach Kungfu Reyes. “Palaban naman talaga mga imports ng nila. Medyo nag-relax kami, pero lumaban kami noong dulo para tapusin yung laban.”
The Asset Managers (3-3) take a 12-day break before coming back to the FilOil Flying V Centre and facing Sta. Lucia (1-3).
Serbian Tamara Kmezic continued to carry the Oragons, scoring 16 points while Japanese winger Saam Miyagawa added 10.
Iriga City (1-3) takes on the Cignal HD Spikers (2-3) on Saturday at the De La Salle University – Lipa Sentrum.
The Scores
Cocolife (3) – Milton 20, Manu-Olevao 19, Pabayo 5, Bunag 3, Alkuino 2, Gumabao 2, Bautista 1, Salak 1, Tiu 1, Gonzales 0, Tejada 0, Lazaro (L)
Iriga City (0) – Kmezic 16, Miyagawa 10, Sta. Rita 4, Bombita 2, Raterta 2, Cabriana 1, Villegas 1, Lana 0, Yoshioka (L)
