Generika-Ayala, Smart-Army agawan sa huling semis slot

MANILA, Philippines — Pag-aagawan ngayon ng Generika-Ayala Lifesa-vers at Smart-Army Giga Hitters ang huling semifinal slot sa pagpapatuloy ng 2018 Chooks to Go-Phi-lippine Superliga Invitational Conference sa FilOil Flying V Center sa San Juan City.

Ang mananalo sa knockout quarterfinal battle ng Lifesavers at Giga Hitters sa dakong alas-7 ng gabi ay haharap naman sa Petron Blaze Spikers sa do-or-die semifinals sa Sabado.

Sa classification matches, magtatagpo rin ang University of the East-Cherrylume at Cocolife Asset Managers para sa pang-siyam na puwesto sa alas-2 ng hapon habang maglalaban din ang University of the Philippines-UAI Lady Maroons at Foton Tornadoes sa alas-4:15 para sa pang-pitong puwesto.

“We will have a lot of adjustments on offense because our players are not so tall. But when it comes to defense, we will not have any problem since it has been our advantage for our past wins,” sabi ni Generika-Ayala coach Sherwin Meneses.

Sasandal si Meneses kina Patty Orendain, Bang Pineda, Fiola Ceballos, Kat Arado at middle blockers Angeli Araneta at Ria Meneses.

Sa panig naman ni Smart-Army coach Kungfu Reyes, aasa siya sa mga beteranong sina Ging Balse-Pabayo, Joanne Bunag at Nene Bautista at sa mga University of Santo Tomas stars na sina Dimdim Pacres, Tin Francisco, Caitlyn Viray at Alina Bicar.

“Reaching the quarterfinals is big for us in a sense that Smart had zero wins last conference but we need to sustain our performance as we face a tougher and more exciting battle.  We’re not only carrying the name of Smart, we also parade Army’s team as well as the young players from UST.  We have to take full responsibility in bringing those names whatever the result will be. We’ll get to see how far we’ll go,” ayon naman kay Reyes.

Nasungkit ng F2 Logistics ang ikatlong semis berth matapos pataubin ang Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16 noong Martes sa Imus Sports Complex.

Makakaharap din ng Cargo Movers ang nagdedepensang Cignal HD Spikers sa isa pang knockout semis match sa Sabado sa Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Umiskor si Kim Dy ng 16 puntos at 16 digs para pangunahan ang panalo ng Cargo Movers ni coach Ramil de Jesus. Bukod kay Dy, umani rin ng 12 puntos si Cha Cruz-Behag at 11 naman mula kay Majoy Baron para makabawi sa kanilang 16-25, 25-21, 20-25, 24-26, talo sa Petron noong Hulyo 14.