Games on July 2
2 p.m. – Generika vs Petron (women’s)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Cignal (women’s)
6 p.m. – Systema vs Via Mare (men’s)
MANILA, Philippines - Generika-Army toughened up on defense in the last two sets and pounded out a 25-21, 27-29, 25-20, 25-21 victory over RC Cola-Air Force yesterday to keep its streak going in the PLDT Home-Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference volleyball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Lady Troopers rallied from a five-point deficit in the fourth set to frustrate the Raiders and notch their third straight win after back-to-back setbacks in the tournament supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical.
Open hitter Nene Bautista paced Army’s charge with 13 kills and finished with 16 hits while Jovelyn Gonzaga and setter Tina Salak delivered 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Generika-Army, which tied AirAsia at third at 3-2.
Meanwhile, the league takes a two-week break to give way to the Cagayan Friendship Games.
The league, organized by Sports Core with Solar Sports as official broadcast partner, resumes on July 2, three days before it flies to Cebu City for its first ever out-of-town game.
A prized recruit from University of San Agustin in Iloilo, Bautista combined with Salak and Jacquelyn Alarca in recovering from a 15-20 deficit in the crucial fourth set en route to the victory.
But for Lady Troopers’ coach Rico de Guzman, it was their airtight defense that carried them through.
“We have almost the same play but I told the girls that we have to neutralize their offense,†said de Guzman.
True enough, the more seasoned Lady Troopers worked doubly hard on defense to frustrate Joy Cases, Iari Yongco and Judy Ann Caballejo.
Cases and Yongco did score 16 points apiece while Caballejo had 12 markers but the Raiders still fell short of their bid and took their second loss in six outings.