After nine dramatic matches in the elimination round, the Generika Lifesavers have finally secured a win, after the Cignal HD Spikers gifted them 36 errors en route to a straight-set win, 25-15, 25-20, 25-22, in the 2016 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the PhilSports Arena.
The HD Spikers managed to score more off their scoring skills, but their conference-record 36 errors doused their momentum throughout the match. The Lifesavers were ahead for most of the match without the HD Spikers threatening to take a set.
Generika’s Ukranian import Polina Liutikova tallied 10 points, while UE standout Shaya Adorador contributed nine markers. Darlene Ramdin and Chloe Cortez had seven points each.
The Livesavers lost their first match of the season to Cignal in a close five-set decision that saw the HD Spikers’ import Lynda Morales suffer a season-ending foot injury.
Winless before today, Generika head coach Francis Vicente had urged his wards to play with pride before heading into their knockout match with RC Cola-Army.
“Nanalo kami kasi lahat nag-cooperate. Kita pa lang sa warmup pa lang na sabay-sabay ‘yung laro namin. Talagang masaya ako sa pinakita namin ngayon kasi matagal ko nang alam na kaya nila magpakita ng ganyan, hindi lang namin nae-execute,” said Vicente.
“Para sa amin, may chance kaming umangat at mabuhay pa sa tournament na ‘to. Isang panalo lang. Hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy na ‘to hanggang sa susunod na laban.”
Former SVL MVP Sandra Delos Santos led Cignal with 12 points, while Laura Schaudt added 11.
The HD Spikers (1-8) can still move up in the standings if they beat Foton (7-1) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Generika finish the elimination round with a 1-9 slate.
The Scores
Generika (3) – Liutikova 10, Adorador 9, Ramdin 7, Cortez 7, Meneses 4, De Leon 2, Baliton 0, Legacion 0, Tiu 0, Arado (L)
Cignal (0) – Delos Santos 12, Schaudt 11, Laborte 6, Paat 3, Mercado 2, Bernal 2, Saet 2, Santos 2, Marciano 1, Patilano 0, Dionela (L)
