Lady Troopers still on title track
RC Cola Army Lady Troopers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
RC Cola-Army is peaking at the right moment.
Or at least that’s what coach Kungfu Reyes is hoping for even as he bared their game plan is tailor-fit for the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix format.
“I know that the other teams don’t want to face us in the crucial games,” said Reyes after Army downed Cignal, 25-16, 25-9, 25-23, last night at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Even at 4-6 after the eliminations, the three-time champion Lady Troopers still have a clear shot at the title provided they win their next four games.
“We know that very well, and maybe that affected our attitude in the previous games when it seemed we didn’t mind losing,” said Reyes.
RC Cola-Army will take on Generika in the playoffs on Sunday. F2 Logistics and Cignal collide in the other match.
Winners will advance to the semifinals where Foton and Petron are waiting.
“It’s up to the players how they will fare against Generika but it’s the crucial match,” added Reyes, who went all-Filipino most of the third set.
“I felt we haven’t given our best form yet.”
“Our locals have to step up. We realize that we can’t depend completely on our import but we need their help in blocks because they are tall,” he added.
Jovelyn Gonzaga led RC Cola-Army with 17 points, while Honey Royse Tubino chipped in 10. American reinforcements Kiera Holst and Hailie Ripley were limited to five and four markers, respectively.
Nobody stepped up for the HD Spikers, who lost their seventh straight match.
And things are looking bleaker in the playoffs as they will continue to miss Lynda Morales who injured her left foot.
