PSL mainstays Generika-Ayala Lifesavers spoiled the league debut of the Cocolife Asset Managers in the opening day of the 2017 Invitational Tournament, taking a four-set win, 25-20, 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, Saturday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Lifesavers skipper Gen Casugod towed her team to victory with 20 points, 17 coming from attacks and three from blocks. And this kind of performance is what is expected of her by Generika-Ayala head coach Francis Vicente.
“Siyempre kelangan niya mag-step up. Siya yung captain ball namin e, yun yung motivation namin sa kanya,” the National Team mentor said. “She’s 6-foot-2 tapos malamya, so kailangan pag-igihan pa niya.”
After cruising in the first two sets, league returnee Michelle Gumabao did not allow Cocolife to be swept. The two squads figured in a tight set, with Gumabao helping her team break away late.
“Nag-relax [yung team namin]. Normal sa isang team yan kaya kailangan pa namin pasok yung killer instinct sa kanila,” Vicente said about the set.
Casugod and the rest of Generika-Ayala proved to be too much in the fourth set, however, racing to an early 11-5 lead that the Asset Managers never recovered from.
Angeli Araneta and Fiola Ceballos led Generika-Ayala’s second six with 12 and 10 points respectively.
The Asset Managers committed 17 errors in the game, while the Lifesavers scored 58 points off attacks.
Rosemarie Vargas paced Cocolife with nine markers, eight coming from spikes. Gumabao added eight points.
Cocolife did not have the services of ace libero Denden Lazaro in the game due to a family vacation in Japan.
Generika will have a week break before taking on the Foton Tornadoes on Saturday, March 11, at the Malolos Sports Complex in Bulacan. Cocolife take on the same team on Thursday, March 9, at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Scores:
Generika-Ayala(3) – Casugod 20, Araneta 12, Orendain 11, Ceballos 10, Lopez , Salamagos 4, Legacion 2, Eupena 2, Cerveza 2, Pepito 0, Masangkay 0, Baang 0, General (L), Reyes (L).
Cocolife (1) – Vargas 9, Gumabao 8, Marzan 7, Tiu 7, Ramirez 4, Esguerra 4, Prado 4, Arocha 3, Patrona 3, Alkuino 2, Gaston 1, Daly 0, Galang (L)
