An undermanned Philippine women’s national team overcame Cignal, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21, in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Tuesday at Imus Sports Center.
With only eight players suiting up, the Nationals drew huge contributions from old reliables Aby Maraño and MJ Phillips, who finished with 17 points apiece in their second win the tournament.
The fiesty Maraño hit 13 spikes, two blocks, and two aces and registered six excellent receptions playing as an opposite spiker for the national team due to the lack of players.
Philips, meanwhile, got all but one of her total output from kills.
“I’m proud of our players because they are flexible in adjusting to other positions, especially our team captain who played as opposite spiker. She’s always ready,” said head coach Shaq Delos Santos of Maraño.
Despite the win, Delos Santos admitted they are still far desired form for the Asian Games in Jakarta this August.
“Honestly speaking we’re happy because we keep on winning here but we’re still far from our best form and we still have a lot of things to do,” he said.
“We need more practices. Hopefully, we’ll get there in the training camp and in the international competition. For now, we’ll do it one at time until we’re complete.”
Cignal absorbed its first defeat but that will not affect its 3-0 record in Pool B because the national team’s games have no bearing.