Usher gives Cignal electrifying win over RC Cola-Air Force

MANILA, Philippines - Ariel Usher unleashed another explosive performance as she powered Cignal to an impressive 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, 25-17 victory over RC Cola-Air Force in the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Usher, a gem of an import from Oregon, unloaded 29 kills and  six service aces for a conference-high 36 points as the HD Spikers formally completed a clean sweep of the first round of the inter-club tournament presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Mueller, Mikasa and Senoh as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Her partner, Amanda Anderson, had nine kills and five blocks for 14 points while veteran Michelle Laborte chipped in 10 markers for Cignal, now regarded as the team to beat after flying under the radar in several pre-season analyses and predictions.

“I honestly have no idea how many points I scored,” said the blonde and charming Usher, who obviously won her first-round battle against another super import in Puerto Rican Lynda Morales of the Raiders.

“I really don’t mind the numbers. I just did what I have to do and for as long as it could help the team, I am very much willing to do it. I also don’t like to commit a lot of mistakes and I feel great contributing in my own little ways.”

The league’s initial conference-high was 31 points also tallied by Usher in a five-set win over reigning champion Petron last Oct 10 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

But against RC Cola-Air Force, Cignal played like one solid unit which drew cheers from another large weekend crowd.

After claiming the first two sets, the HD Spikers suddenly found themselves in trouble as Morales and the Raiders started to find their rhythm and threatened to extend the game to another set.

From a 24-all count, Morales connected with a booming kill from the left wing followed by a very long rally that led to an error by the HD Spikers and stretched the game to a fourth set.

It was all Cignal from there as Usher imposed her dominance on the firing end and exposed the sluggish backline defense of the Raiders. Anderson and Laborte also joined the fray as they erected a solid defensive wall on the net that left the Raiders bleeding for points.

“Now that we got the first round, we have to work even harder because other teams are now after us,” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar, whose wards have now improved to 5-0 win-loss slate. “But we still won’t be complacent.

Winning the first round means more hard work and more training. Other teams will be catching us up so we have to be ready.”

Meanwhile, Bojana Todorovic converted on a beautiful play down the stretch as Philips Gold booked a scary 25-18, 26-24, 22-25, 23-25, 15-13 win over Foton in the second game.

Todorovic uncorked 27 hits and a pair of aces for a total of 29 points while Alexis Olgard added 22 markers built on 16 kills and six blocks for the Lady Slammers, who sealed their fourth straight win after dropping their opening game to Cignal.