Super Liga: 4-set wins for Army, Cignal crews

TMS-PHILIPPINE Army bucked a slow start to crush Cagayan, 19-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17, yesterday and seize the solo lead in the Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball Grand Prix at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Thai import Wanitchaya Luangtonglang unloaded 23 points, 20 of them spikes, and Japanese reinforcement Yuki Murakoshi took care of the defense as the Lady Troopers posted their second successive win.

In the second game, Cignal leaned on Chinese import Li Zhanzhan’s imposing presence to drub Petron, 17-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-18, and get into the win column.

The 6-foot-1 Li played above the net with authority, raining 19 spikes on the Blaze Spikers en route to a team-high 23 points. Compatriot Xie Lei added 12 for the HD Spikers.

Their partnership went well with Cignal’s game dynamics and complemented the efforts of locals Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, Abigail Praca and Danika Gendrauli.

The 6-foot Ouano added 12 points, while Praca and Gendrauli wound up with eight and six, respectively.

Despite a strong opening set that saw Cignal struggle to connect, Petron failed to put up a sustainable defense.

Team captain Stephanie Mercado, daughter of former Asian sprints queen Lydia de Vega, tried to carry the whole team on her shoulders with forays from the left flank. Japanese import Shinako Tanaka added 11 points but the rest of the squad hardly contributed.

“We needed time to adjust our reception,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman, explaining the rough first set. “But after that, we had a smooth ride.”