Croatian import Katarina Pilepic had no problem scoring, towing the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers past the Victoria Sports-University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23, for their third win in the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Pilepic, the league’s top scorer, dished out 22 points, the most that any player has scored in three sets this season.
The six-foot-one winger’s brilliance came at an opportune time for the Lifesavers, who salvaged their third win in seven games to set them within range of the fifth seed in the knockout quarterfinals.
“We’re aiming as high as possible,” said Generika-Ayala head coach Francis Vicente. “Hindi mo rin masasabi how the other team’s games are going to play out. So, kokontrolin na lang namin ‘yung kaya naming kontrolin.”
After breezing through the first two sets, the Golden Tigresses gave the Lifesavers a challenge in the third frame, as Tin Francisco and Dimdim Pacres kept toe-to-toe with their opponents.
“Kailangan pa naming mag-step up. Although maganda and nilaro nila nakita ko lang na yun na naman tayo, tending to relax in the end of the sets,” shared Vicente, “Kailangan lang nilang pag-kill talaga kill, huwag ng mag-relax para dominant na sa lahat ng points na ginagawa nila. May error pa rin eh. Kailangan bawasan.”
But with the game knotted at 23-all, Pilepic proved to be the difference for the escape win.
Pacres led UST with 10 markers, while Francisco chipped in eight points.
The Lifesavers will play their final elimination round match on November 30 against the lowly Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors (1-4) at the FilOil Flying V Centre. UST, on the other hand, hope to gain that elusive win on Saturday, November 25, against the Iriga City Oragons.
The Scores:
Generika-Ayala (3) – Pilepic 22, Cortez 9, Ramdin 8, Araneta 4, Snuka 4, Lopez 4, Adorador 3, Ceballos 1, Legacion 0, Casugod 0, Masangkay 0, Arado (L), Generial (L)
Victoria Sports-UST (0) – Pacres 10, Francisco 8, Sandoval 7, Inamasu 5, Palec 5, Teope 1, Sedeno 0, Bangad 0, Delos Reyes 0, Dizon 0, Rivera (L)
