TMS-Army repeats as Super Liga champ

MANILA, Philippines - TMS-Army rebounded from a tough second set setback to reassert its mastery over Cignal, 25-14, 22-25, 25-17, 25-20, and claim its second straight Philippine Super Liga crown – the women’s Grand Prix – yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Troopers re-imposed their strength and will in the third and four sets as Thai MVP Luangtonglang Wanitchaya combined with local aces Rachel Ann Daquis and Mary Jean Balse to fashion out the four-set victory and reign as champions again following their romp in the inaugural Invitational last July.

PLDT-MyDSL’s men’s team, meanwhile, made up for what its women’s counterpart had failed to achieve, winning the crown with a thrilling 28-26, 25-16, 20-25, 22-25, 16-14 victory over a tough Systema squad.

Armando Maleon and Alnasip Laja stepped up in the decider as the Speed Boosters salvaged the two-hour, four-minute win after blowing a two-set lead.

Kheeno Franco scored 14 points, four coming from the Speed Boosters’ nine blocks. Jayson Ramos added 13 markers while Henry Pecana came away with 11 kills.

“It’s a bitter-sweet feeling,” said PLDT coach Francis Vicente, whose wards swept their two meetings with Systema in the conference organized by Sports Core and recognized by the International Volleyball Federation with Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Jinling Sports as main backers and Solar Sports as broadcast partner.

In women’s play, Wanitchaya scored 17 points, including 16 kills, while Daquis pumped in 16 points and Balse slammed 13 hits for the Lady Troopers, who also drew eight points each from Jovelyn Gonzaga and ace setter Tina Salak, who sealed the Lady Troopers’ victory with powerful spike in the middle.

“We’re happy we’re able to give honor to our mother team TMS and also to the Philippine Army through volleyball,” said Lady Troopers’ coach Rico De Guzman.

“Without underestimating Cignal, we had the advantage in terms of manpower. In this conference you can notice that most of the team will go to their imports for points but our team can get any offense from anyone,” said De Guzman.

Army took a 19-15 lead in the third frame after giving up the second set and never looked back.

Cignal threatened to send the game into a fifth frame, taking a 12-10 lead in the fourth. But Army countered with a 10-3 run to take the helm, 20-15, before closing in to match point on a Wanitchaya hit and a missed hit by Cignal.