Lifesavers keep PSL hopes alive

Darlene Ramdin wants to give Generika-Ayala a decent finish in the ongoing Chooks-To-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.

On Thursday night, she was able to help her team get that position after unloading 17 points for a 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 triumph over Cignal in the last day of the pool eliminations at FilOil Flying V Center.

“I’m glad that we won this game; this gave us the momentum and confidence in the next games,” said the 28-year-old veteran from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Lifesavers will have the unenviable task of facing Petron in the quarterfinals with the Blaze Spikers even holding a twice-to-beat shield.

“We just want to go out and finish the season well,” said Ramdin. “My team is not giving up even though we lost a lot of matches. I’m happy that we are able to share our talents together.”

Symone Hayden helped her up with 14 points, including clutch hits that fueled an 8-0 binge in the second set that ruined Cignal’s comeback attempt.

Generika team captain Angeli Araneta added 10 points as the Lifesavers capitalized on attacks, scoring 49 points off kills compared to 30 by the HD Spikers.

One thing going against the HD Spikers was the absence of Serbian reinforcement Sonja Milanovic who suffered a sprain on her right ankle early in the opening frame.

Milanovic, who still managed to make five points, sat for the remainder of the match along with Cignal main girl Jovelyn Gonzaga who was out for the season also due to injury.

Flashy imports Jeane Horton tried to take the cudgels, firing 19 points, but she failed to get enough help from the locals.

Cignal, which fell to 3-7, will take on Cocolife in the quarterfinals needing to beat the Asset Managers twice to make it to the semifinals. —WITH REPORTS FROM JAN JAIME DELOS SANTOS