Generika-Ayala takes down Petron in five-set thriller

The Generika-Ayala Lifesavers continued their giant-slaying run in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup, outlasting Petron Blaze Spikers, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 31-33, 15-9, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

After defeating the Foton Tornadoes in five sets early in the season, Generika proved that they are beyond flukes, slaying another former league champion.

According to Generika-Ayala head coach Sherwin Meneses, his squad used their underdog status to motivate themselves against the taller, heavily-favored Petron.

“Sabi ko sa kanila isipin niyo nagte-training lang tayo kasi nothing to lose naman tayo kasi malakas naman ang Petron,” Meneses shared. “Pero sabi ko kakayanin natin ‘yan basta magawa lang natin ‘yung lagi nating ginagawa. ‘Yun lang naman ang sinasabi ko sa kanila kasi alam mo nga ‘yung team namin balanced lang, hindi mo alam kung sinong magbibigay ng puntos so ‘yun ang nangyari, na-distribute ‘yung mga points.”

After dropping the fourth set in disappointing fashion, the Lifesavers mustered a furious start to the decider, taking a 9-4 lead and never looking back.

With a 3-1 record to finish the elimination round in Group A, the Lifesavers have a shot at gaining an outright semis berth. Regardless of their standing, Meneses was elated at his team’s performance.

“Basta ako sabi ko, mapwesto ako sa No. 2 ok na ako, kung No. 1 mas buenas. Pero palagay ko malayo eh kasi malayo eh, five sets, five sets (ang panalo namin) so wala kaming chance ‘pag nag-quotient,” added Meneses.

Patty Orendain led the Lifesavers with 23 points, while libero Kath Arado fortified the backline with 42 digs and 19 excellent receptions.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas was the most potent of an uncharacteristically daft Petron offense with 14 points. Mika Reyes and Bernadeth Pons added 13 markers.

Petron (2-1) need to win their final outing against undefeated the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (2-0) on Saturday to stay in the hunt for a semis slot.

The Scores

Generika-Ayala (3) – Orendain 23, Araneta 20, Ceballos 13, Meneses 8, Lopez 6, Pineda 4, Hingpit 3, Espinosa 2, Bendong 1, Cerveza 1, Llagoso 1, Arado (L), General (L)

Petron (2) – Pontillas 14, Pons 13, Reyes 13, Legacion 10, Molina 7, Tunay 5, Agudo 4, Legacion 2, Palma 2, Cortez 0, Dimaculangan 0, Duremdes (L), Gaiser (L)