Far Eastern University standout Geneveve Casugod had the best game of her career, scoring 25 points and leading the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers past a scrappy Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors squad, 25-19, 23-25, 25-27, 25-18, 15-12, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The win puts the Lifesavers in prime position to take fourth place in the classification phase of the Philippine Superliga Invitationals.
Casugod’s 25 points, a career-best mark, highlighted what was an otherwise stop-start match for Generika. After dominating the first set, the Lifesavers lost momentum in the second set lineup shuffle. Late errors then doomed Generika in the fourth frame.
“Naging complacent sila. Siguro, kaya namin na hindi umabot ng ganoon ‘yung laban kaso nahirapan kami makabalik doon sa level after matalo nang mga set,” said Generika head coach Francis Vicente.
The Lifesavers forced a fifth set, in which they skated ahead midway through.
“Siguro kulang pa sila sa maturity. I still have young players but I believe in out potential,” Vicente continued.
Fiolla Ceballos added 14 markers, while Angeli Araneta managed 13 for Generika-Ayala.
They next play on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre against the Cocolife Asset Managers, a team they beat in the elimination round.
Janine Navarro tallied 15 points, while Lourdes Clemente pitched in 11 for Sta. Lucia.
The Lady Realtors take on the Asset Managers tomorrow for the final match of the season.
The Scores
Generika-Ayala (3) – Casugod 25, Ceballos 14, Araneta 13, Orendain 11, Salamagos 5, Legacion 3, Lopez 3, Pepito 2, Cerveza 1, Masangkay 1, Eupena 0, General (L)
Sta. Lucia (2) – Navarro 15, Clemente 11, Imbo 9, Musa 8, Sante 8, Henson 7, Sabete 3, Austero 2, Cheng 2, Gual 1, Umandal 0, Enclona (L)
