Big Super Liga start for PLDT, Cagayan

WANIDA Kotruang of Cagayan scores off Gretchen Ho of Petron in their Super Liga match yesterday. Contributed photo

Cagayan leaned on its Thai imports and a consistent local crew to demolish Petron even as the Richard Gomez-led PLDT MyDSL crushed Systema last night at the start of the Philippine Super Liga volleyball Grand Prix at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Wanida Kotruang hammered home 12 points while compatriot Patchare Sansmuang accounted for nine to lead the Lady Rising Suns to a 25-20, 25-14, 25-22  triumph in the inaugural women’s match.

Gomez, the movie actor who has dabbled in different sports, scored nine points in the Speed Boosters’ 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 win over the Active Smashers.
Kheeno Franco added nine points, including three blocks, as PLDT showed its worth after a two-month training.

“Richard is very athletic and he quickly learned to play within the system,” said PLDT coach Francis Vicente of his celebrity spiker who had 29 attempts.

The high flying Wanida also shone in defense for Cagayan with eight digs, while last conference’s best digger Jen Reyes had nine. April Jose scored two points, and made 39 excellent set plays.

Cagayan also got 11 points each from drop shot expert Sandra Delos Santos and new recruits Aiza Maizo Fontillas and Pau Soriano, who played for Petron and PLDT, respectively, during the Invitationals.

“It’s only the first game and we have a long way to go but it’s always better to get the first win,” said Cagayan coach Ernesto Pamilar.

Petron Japanese imports Shinako Tanaka and Misao Tanyama contributed only six and three points, respectively. Former UAAP star Gretchen Ho tallied six, while Michelle Laborte had five.