Following a dismal Grand Prix campaign, the Smart Giga Hitters clinched their first-ever win, sweeping the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-14, 25-16, 25-23, to start the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The revamped Giga Hitters got contributions from everyone they fielded in the uniquely-formatted Invitational Cup.
Smart head coach Kungfu Reyes is confident in everyone he fields in the play-all format.
“Maganda ‘yung blend ng Army players and UST players namin,” said Reyes. “‘Yung mga mas batang players namin meron sila noong athleticism na kulang sa mga beterano. Kaya naman i-lead ng mga beterano ‘yung mga bata.”
Smart out-performed Sta. Lucia in every scoring category, notably blasting the Lady Realtors in spiking, 37-18, and service aces, 7-1.
Nene Bautista led a balanced Smart attack with nine points, while middle blocker Lutgarda Malaluan added eight markers.
Marjana Phillips was the lone bright spot for Sta. Lucia with eigh points. Jhoana Maraguinot and Toni Basas missed Sta. Lucia’s first match due to seperate injuries.
The Giga Hitters (1-0) take on the Cignal HD Spikers (0-0) on Thursday at the Spike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite. The Lady Realtors (0-1) face Cocolife Asset Managers (1-0), also Thursday.
The Scores
Smart (3) – Bautista 9, Malaluan 8, Bunag 6, Pacres 6, Viray 6, Pabayo 5, Dizon 2, Francisco 2, Gutierrez 2, Gonzales 2, Bicar 1, Agno (L), Nunag (L)
Sta. Lucia (0) – Phillips 8, Lastimosa 5, Sabete 5, Laborte 3, Raslan 1, Villareal 1, Baliton 0, Hernandez 0, Rivera 0, Estoquia (L), Demontaño (L)
