The Generika-Ayala Lifesavers will be coming in with a lot of confidence when the Chooks-to-Go/Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference kicks off.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses said the team’s adjustment period is finally over, and it’s now time for them to join the heavyweights in a wide-open race to the title.
Meneses said they didn’t boost their lineup with a blue chip recruit, but Angeli Araneta, Marivic Meneses, Mikaela Lopez, Fiola Ceballos, and Patty Orendain will all return with better cohesion and familiarity.
Of course, backline defenders Kath Arado and Bia General will also be back, together with Bang Pineda, April Hingpit, Carol Cerveza, Laizah Bendong, Sheeka Espinosa, Marlyn Llagoso, and Jamie Lavitoria.
“Tapos na yung adjustment period. Resulta na ang kailangan namin,” said Meneses, who hopes to transform their great off-season preparation into a successful return to the semifinals after a long absence.
“Okay naman yung preseason dahil lumabas na yung chemistry namin. Sana madala namin ito to the All-Filipino Conference.”
The league opens on October 30 at the Filoil Flying V Centre, while the formal opening ceremony will be on November 3 at the Ynares Sports Center.
Prior to that, there will be a Fans’ Day this Sunday at the Taguig Lakefront Community Park in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City.
Generika-Ayala rolled the dice early this year when they hired Meneses to replace former national team head coach Francis Vicente.
With very limited time to prepare and instill his system, Meneses led the Lifesavers to a seventh-place finish in the Grand Prix before emerging fifth in the Invitational Conference.
This time, Meneses is gunning for no less than a semifinal spot.
“Since the time I assumed, we’re improving every conference,” he noted.
“Motivated kami mag-semifinals. Wala ng excuses dahil isang taon na kaming magkakasama.”
