Cignal leaned on Americans Lindsay Stalzer and Sarah Ammerman anew as it overwhelmed newcomer Mane ‘N Tail, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19, 26-24, yesterday to gain the solo lead in the 2014 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix at Cuneta Astrodome.
Picking up from where they left off in the opening-day win over RC Cola Air Force, Stalzer and Ammerman scattered 25 and 22 hits, respectively, as coach Sammy Acaylar’s squad sustained its fiery form.
Later, RC Cola spoiled the debut of Foton, notching a swift and merciless 25-13, 25-20, 25-14 victory.
Iari Yongco sparkled with 10 points, including two aces as RC, which slumped to a 17-25, 23-25, 23-25 loss to Cignal last Saturday, evened its card to 1-1 for solo third spot.
With Stalzer and Ammerman on the firing end, Cignal once again proved unstoppable. But Acaylar refused to get carried away by his team’s tag as strong contenders.
“They’re saying we are the team to beat and it’s flattering but as a coach I don’t want to underestimate other teams because there are a lot of good imports here,” said Acaylar. “We’re really working hard as a team.”
Cignal kept its poise in an extended fourth set, after the Lady Stallions mounted a late fightback. Ivy Remulla and Rossan Fajardo struck for Mane ‘N Tail, trimming the gap to just a single point at 22-23 only for Mitch Datuin’s error to push Cignal to match point.
Mane ‘N Tail imports Kristy Jaeckel and Kaylee Manns gave the Lady Stallions a lifeline with back-to-back points for 24-all. Ammerman gave her team a second match point at 25-24 and Jaeckel’s smash went long as Cignal wrapped it up.
“I just told the team to focus and use more combination plays,” said Acaylar.
The loss spoiled Jaeckel’s impressive debut. The former Florida star delivered 31 points off 29 spikes.