Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Mane ‘N Tail (W)
4 p.m. – RC Cola-Air Force vs Foton (W)
6 p.m. – Cignal vs Bench (M)
MANILA, Philippines - Call Sarah Ammerman “The Hammer.”
Living up to expectations, the 6-3 Ammerman impressed on her debut as the American reinforcement powered Cignal to a quick, merciless 25-17, 25-23, 25-23 bashing of RC Cola-Air Force last night to set in motion its title bid at the start of the 2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Ammerman, a veteran campaigner of the tough European circuit who also towed Texas A&M deep in the 2009 NCAA national championship five years ago, went on attack mode by drilling in 18 hits including 15 on kills in helping lift the HD Spikers to a rousing start.
“We’re very focused right now. We did what we are doing best in practice. I’m glad that we started with a win,” said Ammerman, one of the 12 imports strutting their wares in this club tournament organized by Sports Core with Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Jinling Sports and LGR as technical partners.
In the other game, Erica Adachi served as the adhesive that kept Petron together as it turned back a fiesty Generika, 26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 25-23, to likewise jumpstart its title campaign.
Adachi orchestrated the Blaze Spikers attack to perfection, setting up the deadly power-hitting pair of Alaina Bergsma and last conference’s top rookie pick Dindin Santiago with 44 excellent sets in delivering key blows.
Lindsay Stalzer, the other import, was equally solid on her first outing, unloading 15 hits that pleased no less than their coach.
“I asked the imports what kind of sets they wanted,” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar, a former national team mentor. “At first, they couldn’t adjust. So, we adjusted to their game and left the quick sets to the locals.”
Acaylar, who steered the Perpetual Help Altas to multiple NCAA championships, said it helped that there was no language barrier in this event recognized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF), the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
“But the most important thing is that our imports can speak English. There was no language barrier among us. They are happy. We are all having fun. I taught them how to enjoy the game without pressure,” he said.
There was some local support too as Abigail Parca scattered 11 of her own in helping Cignal nail the big one especially now that heavy favorite Phl Army begged off to play in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Third Conference.
In the end, it was the power-spiking Ammerman who made the biggest harm with a complete game.
Ammerman went on attack mode early as she smoked the Raiders with crisp kills, deceptive drops coupled with a nearly impenetrable net defense to propel the HD Spikers to an easy opening set win.
RC Cola reinforcements Bonita Wise and Emily Brown tried to will their team back but Ammerman was there to thwart their every move.
Brown, the former Kansas star, registered 16 kills and two blocks for 18 points while Wise punched a dismal nine points for the Raiders, who are looking for a major rebound to avenge their painful setback in the finals last conference.