After losing their first two outings, the Cocolife Asset Managers rolled to their second straight win, surviving the Victoria Sports-University Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-19, 16-25, 25-17, 25-20, in the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Cocolife head coach Kungfu Reyes admitted that his team had the advantage on paper but he expected UST, which he also coaches in the UAAP, to fully take advantage of their weaknesses.
“Kita naman sa quality ng player na lamang talaga kami. Pero talagang dumidikit ‘yung UST, nakakakuha pa ng set kaya alam mong may laban talaga,” Reyes remarked.
“Talaga struggle kami sa passing. Lahat team na inii-scout kami talaga ‘yun ang makikita nila. Kanina sa game problema nanaman siya. Kailangan talaga namin ‘yun maayos,” the enlisted Army personnel added.
UST won the second set precisely through consistent, targeted serving and solid transition attacks. Cocolife, however, overwhelmed the UAAP Final Four contenders in the following two frames to lock up the win.
Cocolife, while giving up eight aces, was tremendous at the net with 12 blocks and 54 attacks. American Taylor Milton led the Asset Managers with 21 points off 16 attacks and five blocks, while fellow import Shar Manu-Olevao added 20 markers.
Open hitter Carla Sandoval and hefty lefty Dimdim Pacres powered the Tigresses with 14 points apiece.
The Asset Managers (2-2) face a tough road to a third straight win, with F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (1-0) as their fifth assignment on Saturday at the Malolos Sports Complex. UST (0-1) take on title favorites Petron Blaze Spikers (3-1) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Cocolife (3) – Milton 21, Manu-Olevao 20, Gumabao 16, Bunag 6, Gonzales 4, Bautista 1, Malaluan 1, Pabayo 1, Lazaro (L)
Victoria Sports-UST (1) – Pacres 14, Sandoval 14, Inamasu 11, Francisco 6, Palec 6, Bangad 0, Viray 0, Rivera (L)
