Cignal finally flaunted its strength as it registered an easy 25-15, 25-22, 25-18 win over Standard Insurance-Navy in the second game. TEXT AND PHOTO BY PHILIPPINE SUPERLIGA
CIGNAL and Generika continued chasing the fifth spot after downing their respective opponents last night in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference women’s volleyball at FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Cignal leaned on rookie middle blocker Jeanette Panaga to crush Standard Insurance-Navy, 25-15, 25-22, 25-18, for its second win in three games in the Group B competition.
But Generika staked a firmer claim after it drubbed Amy’s Kitchen, 24-26, 25-13, 25-19, 25-14, for a clean 2-0 slate in the group that determines the placings among the last four clubs.
Panaga, a popular rookie from reigning NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, scored 16 points, 12 of them through quick hits, to lead the HD Spikers.
She got ample help from Janine Navarro and Micmic Laborte, who chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
But it failed to impress Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar who will lead the coaching staff of the Philippine team to the FIVB (international volleyball federation) Women’s Club World Championships in October.
“I’d be a hypocrite if I say that I was not disappointed. But I have to accept the fact that we failed to make a strong start,” said Acaylar. “Now we must at least show that we are the best among the last four teams.”
Generika played without its head coach Francis Vicente and chief assistant Rosemarie Prochina but still had enough power to beat Amy’s, which has not won a single game in the conference.
The Lifesavers can secure the top seeding in the sudden-death clash for fifth place with another win today against Standard Insurance-Navy.
Chloe Cortez, Ria Meneses and Wensh Tiu gave inspired performances for the Lifesavers, making 17, 15 and 11 points, respectively.
Vicente is still in Thailand to steer the Philippine squad in the AVC U19 women’s championship, while Prochina is on leave to attend family matters.
“I told the team that it’s okay to be confident, but not too much,” said Jeff Drio who stood in as Generika mentor. “Because that’s always been our problem. We tend to relax so we always end up dropping a set that gives our opponents the confidence.”