HD Spikers surge back to edge SLR 6

Games tomorrow 

3 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies

5 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Foton

7 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal came back strong from a fourth-set foldup and repulsed Sta. Lucia Realty, 19-25, 25-18, 25-13, 23-25, 15-12, yesterday in the Rebisco-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Jovelyn Gonzaga tallied 19 kills and three blocks for game-high 22 points while Rachel Anne Daquis had 10 kills for a total of 14 markers as the veteran campaigners took charge in the crucial stretch of the deciding set to steer the HD Spikers to victory.

Daquis uncorked a booming kill that tied the match at 11 then Gonzaga delivered the go-ahead spike before Fil-Am MJ Phillips tied it again.

Cignal regained the lead on a Sta. Lucia attack error then Gonzaga unloaded another kill on their way to victory.

“I was surprised with the composition of Sta. Lucia. They’re so tall,” said Cignal coach George Pascua, noting that the Lady Realtors’ imposing presence at the net made it difficult for them to attack.

Pascua admitted that the Lady Realtors could have pulled off a big upset if not for some breaks that went their way.

“Sta. Lucia is very good,” said Pascua, who led the HD Spikers to their first crown last conference. “This is our first game so nabulaga din kami. Hindi din namin ine-expect na ganun kaganda ang lalaruin ng Sta. Lucia.”

A daughter of an American serviceman from Zambales, Phillips had an impressive debut as she tallied 10 kills and five blocks for 16 points while Gendrauli had nine kills and four aces and two blocks for the Lady Realtors, who edged the HD Spikers in the blocking department 9-8.

 Superliga matches are aired by official broadcaster TV5.