Generika, PLDT S-Liga champs
GENERIKA-ARMY outgunned RC Cola-Air Force to annex the women’s crown even as PLDT-Air Force swept its way to the men’s title at the expense of Cignal HD last night in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at Cuneta Astrodome.
Showing superior firepower and a system too complex for the Raiders to check, the Lady Troopers pulled off a 25-22, 25-19, 25-16 triumph to clinch their third straight title.
In the men’s final, the Power Attackers slammed the HD Spikers, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21, to cap a nine-game sweep.
But the spotlight belonged to Generika-Army which played solidly throughout, pouncing on the many errors RC Cola-Air Force committed en route to victory in the fledgling league.
After dropping their first two games in the absence of leader Tina Salak, the Lady Troopers recovered well enough to remain unbeaten from there.
“Everything we have worked hard for really paid off,” said a jubilant Rico de Guzman, coach of the Lady Troopers.
It was the second straight title for the Power Attackers, who bagged the men’s title in the PSL Grand Prix last year minus the overpowering form they displayed this season.
“We did it one game at a time, but I know we are a strong team, so I guess a sweep indeed crossed my mind,” said PLDT-Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez in Filipino.
The Power Attackers, whose nucleus also ruled the Philippine National Games early this year, actually wasted three championship points before Dante Alinsunurin came through with a well-placed drop shot.
Alnakran Abdilla fired 18 points for the Power Attackers.
“In men’s volleyball, there are players who are ‘idols’ in the game,” said Jimenez. “All these ‘idols’ happen to be in my team, and the opponents tend to get intimidated by that.”
Jeffrey Malabanan scored 10, Ron Jay Galang added nine and Alinsunurin had eight for the Power Attackers who boast of the main core of the national team.
Earlier, PLDT Home TVolution survived a big scare before hacking out a 25-17, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23 win over AirAsia to secure third place in the women’s division.
It was the second straight third-place finish by the Lady Power Attackers after making a podium finish in the PSL Grand Prix last year.
But coach Roger Gorayeb wasn’t too happy with the outcome after the Flying Spikers handily won the second set and come out strong late in the fourth.
“I need people, those who are fresh and can give full time to the team,” said Gorayeb who rued the fact that all his players have full-time office jobs with the telecommunications giant, and could not give 100 percent in practice.
The Flying Spikers, only in their maiden conference, made a final stand to grab the lead 23-22 in the fourth only to fall into rash of errors in the end.
Sue Roces, fondly called “Kuya” by her teammates and in the volleyball circle, paced PLDT with 16 points, 15 on the attack. Charo Soriano added 14 and Lou Ann Latigay contributed 12.
Stephanie Mercado paced AirAsia with 15 points, while Aby Marano fired 10. Arianna Angustia made eight, while Michelle Gumabao and Cha Cruz chipped in seven apiece.
