Generika-Ayala has made the headlines for the past several weeks, and it’s all thanks to its bold player movements ahead of the 2020 season of the Philippine Superliga.
The Lifesavers knocked down the first domino after parting ways with Fiola Ceballos. A massive recruitment coup then followed, bringing Rhea Dimaculangan, Mina Aganon and Eli Soyud to Generika-Ayala before the club team pulled the strings that brought Chin Basas in tow. Not long after that, a reinforcement from Cuba entered Generika-Ayala’s fold in Elizabeth Vicet Campos.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that chief tactician Sherwin Meneses feels thrilled to have them on board.
“Siyempre masaya kami kasi naka-recruit kami ng [high] caliber players,” the bench strategist said. “Sana maging okay ‘yung team this Grand Prix pero, siyempre, ie-enjoy namin ‘yung mga recruit namin.”
Meneses will get to test his rejigged arsenal once the import-flavored tournament goes into full swing. But among the team’s acquisitions, he pointed out that Campos will be a major factor to their success in the season-opening conference.
Fortunately, the 19-year-old Cuban wunderkind is a gem of a recruit.
“All-around player siya, atake at depensa. So very exciting ‘yung game niya,” he said of Campos, who is also a member of Cuba’s national team and a former youth squad captain.
“Hopefully before PSL makundisyon siya.”
Meneses said that he’s already sold on the 5-foot-8 opposite hitter after bearing witness to her determination when she arrived in the country earlier this week.
“Last Tuesday, dumating siya, ‘di nga namin siya pinapa-ensayo pero willing siya mag-ensayo kahit service-receive,” he recalled.
“So talagang nagpunta dito. Bata pa kasi eh, nagpunta dito ‘yung bata para maglaro talaga.”
With less than a month left before the season commences, Meneses acknowledges that their training sessions will be crucial moving forward.
“Chemistry ‘yung binubuo namin kasi siyempre lahat naman maga-adjust especially ‘yung mga Filipino players kasi isa lang maga-adjust sa kanila so kailangan mag adjust ng team,” he bared.
Still, Meneses is confident that, with the addition of Campos, the Lifesavers are capable of competing for a title. And he has even issued a warning to the rest of the league.
“Matagal pa ‘yung PSL pero excited rin kami para makita siya sa PSL,” he said.
“Outside hitter siya so all-around player siya. So, watch out na lang.”
