Building on their fourth-place finish in the Invitational Cup, the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers routed the Cocolife Asset Managers in four sets, 25-14, 23-25, 15-25, 14-25, in Group B action, Tuesday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Four spikers scored in double-figures for the Lifesavers with Patty Orendain leading the way with 12 points, 10 from attacks and two from aces. Gen Casugod and Fiola Ceballos added 12 points each, while Angeli Araneta chipped in 11.
But it was 5-foot-5 setter Acy Masangkay who brought things together, tossing 24 excellent sets.
“She enjoyed the game and improved when it comes to diskarte. Nandun yung maturity niya at siya kasi yung player na nakikinig sa coach,” said head coach Francis Vicente, who was still recovering from jet-lag.
Though happy with the opening day win, the National Team’s head tactician did not like the team’s lapses in the second set.
“Kailangan pang i-push dahil ang dami pang errors sa service. They tend to relax pag malaki na yung lamang namin. It leads to errors,” criticized Vicente, as the majority of their 28 errors came during the second set. “Pero kung talagang seryoso na while enjoying, nababawasan yung mga mali namin.”
But when Generika-Ayala started connecting on their serves, Cocolife had no answer, as 12 of the Lifesavers’ points came from aces.
Michele Gumabao was the only Asset Manager to score in double-figures with 12.
Generika-Ayala will next face the Foton Tornadoes in the battle of the two undefeated teams in Group B on Saturday, June 10. at 5:00pm. Cocolife, on the other hand, will face Cherrylume on Thursday, June 8, at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
Generika-Ayala (98) – Orendain 12, Casugod 12, Ceballos 12, Araneta 11, Lopez 7, Adorador 2, Alcayde 2, Masangkay 1, Cortez 1, Buitre 1, Legacion 0, Cerveza 0, Arado (L), General (L), Opp. Error 37.
Cocolife (68) – Gumabao 12, Villareal 8, Bunag 4, Dizon 4, Cayuna 3, Francisco 3, Palec 2, Tiu 2, Sandoval 1, Tejada 1, Alkuino 1, Esperanza 0, Lazaro (L), Dusaran (L), Opp. Error 28.