With only eight players made available, the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team scored their second win as a guest team in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup after rolling past the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21, at the Imus City Sports Center.
Team captain Aby Maraño led the short-handed Nationals with 17 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. The F2 Logistics stalwart joined teammates Majoy Baron, Dawn Macandili and Kim Fajardo, Petron’s Mika Reyes and Ces Molina, and Sta. Lucia’s Becca Rivera and MJ Phillips in the active roster for today’s match.
Cargo Movers Cha Cruz-Behag and Kianna Dy were both in attendance but sat out the match to rest minor injuries. Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, and Maika Ortiz were unvailable as the Foton Tornadoes had a match on the same game day.
Even with limited resources, some of the country’s best players still overwhelmed Cignal HD offensively, coming away with a 40-32 attacks advantage while also limiting their errors to 14.
“For us talaga sobrang importante lang na makapaglaro kami nang sama-sama. Kahit hindi kami kumpleto, ‘yung magkakapaan lang kami sa loob ng court na may kalaban na competitive na club team is napakalaking bagay na,” emphasized Maraño, who also serves as the PSL’s ambassador.
Phillips also managed 17 markers. Cignal was led by a National Team pool member, as Mylene Paat tallied 11 points
The Nationals play their final exhibition match on Thursday against the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
PWNVT (3) – Maraño 17, Phillips 17, Molina 6, Baron 5, Reyes 3, Fajardo 2, Rivera 2, Macandili (L)
Cignal HD (0) – Paat 11, Daquis 8, Vivas 8, Salamagos 6, Navarro 4, Aguilar 3, Sante 2, Tubiera 1, Macatuno 0, Dionela (L)
