Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Determined to improve on its third-place finish in the All-Filipino Conference, RC Cola-Army injected youth to its veteran-laden roster for the 2016 Asics Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.
The Lady Troopers will parade a couple of young and explosive imports in Hailie Ripley and Kierra Holst as they kick off their bid against the Generika Lifesavers at 7 p.m. today at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Ripley starred for the Fort Wayne Mastodons in the NCAA, while Holst saw action for the US juniors national team in the 2013 FIVB Women’s Juniors World Championship in the Czech Republic.
The duo will join forces with an experienced Army crew led by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Royce Tubino, Tina Salak, Nene Bautista, Michelle Carolino and Rachel Anne Daquis.
“The team is intact and everybody is healthy,” said Army coach Kungfu Reyes. “Although I can’t say that we will win the crown, I’m pretty sure that we will come up with a serious run.”
Generika will also field an intact lineup powered by former Trinidad and Tobago national player Darlene Ramdin and Polina Liutikova of Ukraine.
Petron guns for a second straight win against F2 Logistics in the first game at 5 p.m.
The Tri-Activ Spikers got huge performances from import Stephanie Niemer and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas as they walloped the Lifesavers, 25-18, 25-23, 25-14, during last Saturday’s opening day.
Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos said there is still room for improvement.
“We’re still working on our chemistry,” said Delos Santos. “We’re trying to regain our form.” —CEDELF P. TUPAS