The Generika-Ayala Lifesavers have gained momentum for the All-Filipino Conference
The rebooted Generika-Ayala Lifesavers outlasted a hungry Cocolife Asset Managers squad, taking a close three-set victory, 25-18, 26-24, 26-24, in the final match-up of the fourth-to-sixth classification round of the Invitational Cup, Saturday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
With a 2-0 finish in the classification phase — 4-3 overall — the Lifesavers finished their Invitational Cup campaign at fourth place, while the league-neophytes finished at fifth. Happy with the positive outcome for the conference, coach Francis Vicente is now looking to build cohesion in his squad during the off-season.
“Nandun na yung skills but kailangan pa ng konteng hasa,” Vicente said. “Push lang kami ng push hanggang sa gumanda yung outcome ng mga laro namin.”
Patty Orendain and tournament-revelation Gen Casugod towed Generika-Ayala with 15 and 13 points respectively, with 13 of Orendain’s points coming from 13 attacks.
After dominating the first set, Generika-Ayala fell victim to their own errors, 32 in the game, that kept the next two sets close. Fortunately for the Lifesavers, their experience over the Asset Managers played a huge part in the end game, capped by a Carol Cerveza attack to seal fourth place.
Fiola Ceballos added 11 points, off 10 attacks and an ace. Angelica Legacion had 19 excellent sets.
“Actually, may kulang pa. We need to be faster, we need to be wiser with every decision that we make. May on and off pa rin yung laro nila, minsan aaratsada, minsan bibitaw. Yun yung part na kailangan pa naming hasain [during the off-season],” Vicente added.
Michelle Gumabao and Wensh Tiu paced Cocolife with eight markers each.
Looking forward to the next conference, Vicente plans to add more middles to his team, and do more repetitions in the gym.
“Dagdag ng gitna pero more training pa kailangan namin. Tapos training ng training lang hanggang sa maging habitual na yung ginagawa nila,” the National Team mentor closed.
The Scores:
Generika-Ayala (3) – Orendain 15, Casugod 13, Ceballos 11, Araneta 7, Cerveza 4, Lopez 2, Eupena 1, Masangkay 0, Pepito 0, Legacion 0, General (L), Reyes (L)
Cocolife (0) – Tiu 8, Gumabao 8, Marzan 4, Vargas 4, Arocha 3, Gaston 3, Prado 2, Esguerra 1, Alkuino 1, Ramirez 0, Daly 0, Lazaro (L)
