Generika-Ayala still without key star as crucial showdown with Cignal looms

Cignal and Generika-Ayala chase the fourth spot when they clash in a pivotal match in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The all-important battle is set at 6 p.m. following the 4 p.m. collision between Marinerang Pilipina and PLDT Home Fibr.

Sitting at the third spot with idle Foton with a 7-5 win-loss record, Generika-Ayala is in dire need of a victory to improve its standing entering the crucial stretch of the double-round preliminaries.

But the Lifesavers’ mission of claiming the third spot is easier said than done as Cignal is also hunting a crucial win to climb the ranking for a better spot in the quarterfinals.

The Lifesavers will likely continue to miss skipper Angeli Araneta, who is still nursing a left knee injury.

Despite missing Araneta, Generika held off Sta. Lucia, 25-17, 20-25, 25-14, 25-9 late on Thursday night behind the combined 50 kills of Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain.

Ria Meneses was also instrumental with 11 points, while Mean Mendez filled in for Araneta and had eight points.