Rhea Meneses of Generika-Ayala vs Jenine delos Reyes and Maureen Penetrante-Ouano of Smart. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Generika-Ayala outlasted Smart, 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11, in a grueling five-setter in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Tuesday at Imus Sports Center in Cavite.
It was the Lifesavers’ first win after starting the conference at 0-4 but it took everything they got to hold off the Giga Hitters.
“I just told them not to get pressured. Just follow the instruction and treat this match as if this is just a practice game,” said Generika-Ayala coach Sherwin Meneses.
Darlene Ramdin of Trinidad and Tobago kept her composure, hitting 26 points off 23 kills and three blocks to lead the way for Generika.
The Lifersavers turned to Ramdin in the crucial stages and the returning import delivered, scoring on a kill that made it, 12-10, before hammering another attack to put her team at match point.
Ramdin also had ample help with American reinforcement Symone Hayden unloading 21 points as the two teamed up to overcome Gyselle Silva’s scoring outburst.
Silva put Smart on her back and nearly towed her squad to its first victory with a conference-high 35 points.
With the loss, the Giga Hitters remained as the only winless team in the tournament at 0-5.