Fil-American winger Marjana Phillips carried the under-manned Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors over the upstart Cocolife Asset Managers, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, in Group B of the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup at the Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.
Phillips poured in 22 points off 13 attacks, six blocks, and three aces, leading her squad in each scoring skill. Middle blocker Jeanette Villareal added 10 points pace the Lady Realtors who came off a disappointing debut effort last Monday.
While Sta. Lucia came away with the win, head coach George Pascua rued his team’s wasteful play.
“Ang dami pang unforced errors na hindi naman dapat,” rued Pascua. “‘Yung gusto ko pang makita sa players ko ‘yung maturity pa sa laro. Yun ang hindi ko na nakikita na nakikita ko naman sa training. Gusto ko yung consistency na ginagawa nila sa training mangyari sa laro.”
Sta. Lucia’s errors haunted them in the third set, allowing Cocolife to gain a 20-11 edge. Though the Lady Realtors sliced the lead down to one, 21-22, poorly aimed passes gave the Asset Managers the leeway to force a fourth set.
Cocolife, however, took their turn coughing up miscues in the fourth frame. A string of three consecutice errors gave Sta. Lucia an insurmountable 20-14 lead to close the match.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila don’t stop kasi ang kalaban natin madali basahin yung palo kasi puro open lang kumbaga. Then ‘yun gusto ko yung anticipation nila is nandoon. Minsan nawawala lang sa tamang position,” added Pascua.
The Lady Realtors (1-1) take on Group B leaders Cignal (2-0) on July 3 at the Cadiz Arena in Negros Occidental.
Cocolife newcomer Gyra Barroga continued her hot start, powering in a team-high 14 points. Former La Salle Lady Spikers Denden Tan and Justine Tiu each managed 13 markers.
Cocolife (1-1) takes on Smart Prepaid (1-1) on July 5 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Sta. Lucia (3) РPhillips 22, Villareal 10, Sabete 8, Raslan 5, Lastimosa 4, Baliton 3, De Leon 3, Hernandez 2, Laborte 2, Rivera 1, Demonata̱o (L) Estoquia (L)
Cocolife (1) РBarroga 14, Tan 13, Tiu 13, Fabay 7, Tejada 3, Alkuino 2, Patnong 2, Pe̱a 2, Bangad 1, Esperanza 1, Tongco 0, Yongco 0, Dusaran (L), Lazaro (L)
