Coming into the match with a decisive height disadvantage, the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers went all-in on floor defense and speed to stump the Foton Tornadoes in five sets, 25-23, 20-25, 21-25, 25-12, 15-13, in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Lifesavers came alive in the first set, recovering from a 5-11 deficit. Hits and timely defensive plays from Bang Pineda allowed Generika-Ayala to claim back-to-back points, break a 23-all tie, and gain the early advantage.
From there, Generika-Ayala took big leads in each of the following three sets. Foton recovered in the second and third sets, erasing identical 10-15 deficits, turning the tables on the Lifesavers.
Generika found respite in the fourth set, silencing Foton’s offense, rushing to an insurmountable 22-11 advantage, and forcing a toe-to-toe decider.
Foton overwhelmed their foes early in the fifth set, using their height advantage to grab an 8-4 lead. Generika-Ayala eventually settled down and climbed back to take a 12-10 advantage. Foton equalized at 13, but a Jaja Santiago attack error gave Generika-Ayala the first shot at match point. Following a blown Foton receive, Bang Pineda capitalized and floated her signature hit over two blockers to clinch the win.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga players na lamang talaga ‘yung kalaban sa height. Pero, malaki ‘yung tiwala namin sa kanila na kaya nilang ma-overcome ‘yun,” said Generika head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Pineda finished with 20 points, while Ilongga Patty Orendain added 19 markers.
Jaja Santiago’s 28-point explosion went for naught, as the Tornadoes fell to 0-2.
The Lifesavers (2-0) stake their unbeaten record against the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (1-0) next Saturday.
The Scores
Generika-Ayala (3) – Pineda 20, Orendain 19, Araneta 10, Meneses 10, Hingpit 4, Lopez 4, Ceballos 3, Espinosa 3, Cerveza 1, Bendong 0, Lavitoria 0, Arado (L)
Foton (2) – Santiago 28, Manabat 12, De Leon 6, Ortiz 6, Aganon 3, Rosario 3, Viray N. 2, Sy 1, Perez 0, Reyes (L)
