Absorbing a loss on opening day, the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers picked up their first win of the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, surviving the Cocolife Asset Managers, 25-11, 23-25, 16-25, 25-13, 15-9, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Like their loss in Saturday, Generika was inconsistent and had to grasp for form throughout the match. Luckily for them, Cocolife also struggled to put up a consistent effort.
Both teams traded huge set wins, taking the match into a tight decider. Tied at 8-all, Generika got their finishing boost from their imports. Croatian Katarina Pilepic threw down hits that gave the Lifesavers a 10-8 lead. Darlene Ramdin of Trinidad and Tobego finished off the job, scoring four of Generika’s last five points.
“They’re becoming more comfortable. Ang gusto ko talaga sa players ko is for them to enjoy the game,” said Generika head coach Francis Vicente emphasizing the importance of maintaing his team’s mindset. “Iba kasi ‘yung laro nila kapag seryoso sila, mas iniisip nila ‘yung mga mali. When you enjoy the game, it’s easier to move on from those and to just keep doing your best.”
Ramdin and Pilepic each tallied 25 points, producing almost half of their squad’s 104 total markers. Local middle blocker Chloe Cortez added nine markers which includes four blocks and two aces.
They Lifesavers take on the Cignal HD Spikers (0-1) on Thursday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
American open hitter Taylor Milton swung in for 18 points for Cocolife who surrendered 34 errors as a team.
The Asset Managers face a tough task in their search for their first win, taking on Foton (1-0) on Saturday in the league’s official opening ceremony.
The Scores
Generika-Ayala (3) – Pilelic 25, Ramdin 25, Cortez 9, Casugod 4, Araneta 3, Masangkay 2, Ceballos 1, Legacion 1, Arado (L)
Cocolife (2) – Milton 18, Manu-Olevao 15, Bunag 11, Gamabao 8, Pabayo 7, Bautista 2, Salak 1, Alkuino 0, Gonzales 0, Malaluan 0, Tiu 0, Lazaro (L)
