WIth both squads missing players and falling quickly down the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix standings, the Cignal HD Spikers had just enough firepower to overwhelm the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Cignal played their first match without ace hitter Jovelyn Gonzaga, who bruised her right knee in the HD Spikers’ loss to F2 Logistics last Tuesday. On the other hand, Sta. Lucia were without import middle blocker Marisa Field, who suffered a right knee injury in their win over UST.
The HD Spikers proved the deeper squad, as several players hopped off the bench to fill in the massive hole in production left by Gonzaga. Mylene Paat started in the National Team standout’s stead and delivered eight pointa while open hitter Honey Royse pumped out 15 points.
Serve reception decided the match as both squads had their share of struggles. The Lady Realtors opened the match with a dry spell, as Cignal quickly raced to a 16-10 lead to put the first out of doubt. Ahead 11-10, the HD Spikers took their turn of reception woes as Sta. Lucia picked apart their back row. The Lady Realtors took seven of the next eight points and sealed the match at a set apiece.
Cignal continued to struggle in the third set, trailing 1-4 following errors and bad receptions. From there, however, Sta. Lucia lost control of the match. The HD Spikers blitzed Sta. Lucia and grabbed a 20-8 lead. Cignal had full control by the fourth set, with imports Beth Carey and Alexis Matthews conspiring to bring Cignal ahead 19-11 and halt any late Sta. Lucia run.
“Alam nilang kailangan nila mag-step up lalo na ngayong wala si Jov,” said Cignal head coach George Pascua of his team.
“Noong na-injure si Jov nung Tuesday, bumaba loob nila. Hindi dapat ganoon. Dapat lalo pa silang magsumikap para sa teammate nilang nasaktan.”
Import Bohdana Anisova topped Sta. Lucia with 17 points while Pam Lastimosa added nine.
The HD Spikers (3-4) play their final elimination round match on December 2 at the FilOil Flying V Centre against the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (0-6). Sta. Lucia (2-4) take on the Cocolife Asset Managers (3-3) on Tuesday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Cignal (3) – Tubino 15, Matthews 14, Daquis 13, Carey 11, Paat 8, Mercado 3, Saet 3, Morado 2, Marciano 1, Macatuno 1, Dionela (L), Miyashita (L)
Sta. Lucia (1) – Anisova 17, Lastimosa 9, Phillips 8, Sante 8, Navarro 7, Cheng 4, Navarro 2, Sabete 0, Moncks (L)
