Continuing their breakout season, the Smart Prepaid Giga Hitters capped the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers’ unlikely run out of the “group of death” in a three-set rout, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21, and booked a spot in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup semifinals at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Smart quickly burst into the lead in each set, reaching set point with a comfortable margin. In the last two sets, however, the Giga Hitters needed to fend off late Generika runs. Smart saw a 24-20 lead dwindle in the second frame, only to be saved by a Patty Orendain service error.
Leading 24-18, Smart opened the door for a late 3-0 Lifesavers run. Veteran Ging Balse-Pabayo stepped in and ended the match with a smash off a combination play.
Errors characterized Generika’s loss, as they gave up 24 to Smart’s 18. Giga Hitters head coach Kungfu Reyes acknowledged the many auspicious plays that led to their win.
“Siguro merong halong swerte na din sa amin. Maganda ang gising ng mga players namin, sila naman ngayon ang struggle,” said Reyes.
“Pero we’re very happy with the win. Ang goal naman talaga ng team is to make the semis. Nandito na kami ngayon, so why not strive for more?,” the enlisted Army official added.
Smart’s balanced offense was topped by Nene Bautista’s and Joanne Bunag’s identical eight-point outputs.
Orendain finished with 11 points for Generika-Ayala.
Smart take on the Petron Blaze Spikers in the knockout semifinals on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center. The Lifesavers – after toppling powerhouses Foton and Petron in the group stage – will vie for fifth place against the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors also on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Foton Tornadoes salvaged seventh place, sweeping University of the Philippines-United Auctioneers Inc. Lady Maroons, 25-14, 25-14, 25-14, earlier in the afternoon.
Jaja Santiago, who is set to leave for Japan on September, led the Tornadoes with 13 points.
The Scores
Smart Prepaid (3) – Bautista 8, Bunag 8, Gutierrez 7, Pabayo 7, Viray 5, Pacres 4, Malaluan 3, Sabas 3, Francisco 2, Gonzales 2, Bicar 1, Dizon 1, Agno (L), Nunag (L)
Generika-Ayala (0) – Orendain 11, Meneses 9, Araneta 8, Ceballos 5, Pineda 3, Espinosa 2, Hingpit 2, Lopez 2, Cerveza 1, Llagoso 1, Bendong 0, Arado (L), General (L)
