By: Ohmer Bautista
After a straight-set loss versus F2 Logistics in their conference opener, Generika-Ayala rebounded with a sweep of their own.
The Lifesavers came out on top, stifling the gritty Marinerang Pilipina Lady Skippers, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23, Tuesday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
“Siyempre kaka-umpisa palang ng liga. So malaking tulong sa’min, sa morale ng team para maka-recover doon sa pagkatalo namin last time, kasi medyo pangit yung pagkatalo namin. Magandang morale para sa next game,” Generika head coach Sherwin Meneses said.
Taking the first and second sets in a convincing manner, the Lifesavers thought they were off the hook in the third frame. Veterans Patty Orendain and Angeli Araneta took turns to help Generika-Ayala hold a nine-point cushion, 17-8.
However, the Lady Skippers staged a comeback behind Dimdim Pacres, who powered a kill to incite a 5-0 spurt and trim the deficit to four, 13-17. Not to be denied, Orendain then stopped the bleeding and catalyzed a blistering rally of their own, giving Generika-Ayala another comfortable lead, 22-13.
Though the Lifesavers seemed to have the game in hand, Marinerang Pilipina still had gas left in their tank. They willed another resurgence to knock within three, 20-23.
Mariella Gabarda put Generika-Ayala at match point, but the Lady Skippers inched within a point, 23-24, after Mary Anne Mendrez overcooked a cross-court kill. Fiola Ceballos then delivered the stunner to put the game away.
Meneses also commended his players – the veterans in particular – for taking charge and helping the team recover from their first loss.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila noong last game namin, kailangan makabawi sila doon sa naging pangit na performance nila last game. Ngayon nagpakita sila na okay performance nila,” he added.
Orendain finished with a game-high 18 points spiked by two aces, to go along 16 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions.
Ceballos and Marivic Meneses added 11 markers each for the Lifesavers, who out-blocked Marinerang Pilipina, 8-0.
Pacres was the lone double-digit scorer for Marinerang Pilipina, tallying 11 points built on nine spikes and two aces. Permentilla managed seven markers.
Generika-Ayala’s next assignment are the Foton Tornadoes Blue Energy. Meanwhile, Marinerang Pilipina will try to chalk a win at the expense of defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers. Both matches will be played on June 20 at the Imus Sports Center.
