MANILA, Philippines – The PLDT Home TVolution Power Attackers extended their winning streak to two games, taking down league defending champions Generika-Army Lady Troopers (formerly known as TMS-Army) in five sets, 28-26, 16-25, 29-27, 13-25, 15-12, on Wednesday afternoon, May 28, at the Cuneta Astrodome.It was Generika’s first game of the Philippine SuperLiga All-Filipino Conference.
Sue Roces spearheaded the winning squad, registering 17 markers, while PLDT rook Sasa Devanadera contributed 11 points and four blocks.
Angela Benting looked great as well, putting up 13 markers to go with Lou Ann Latigay’s 12.
Army, meanwhile, was powered by Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis – both of whom were part of the title-winning FEU squad in the Shakey’s V-League – by submitting 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Both clubs fought each other close, with Army using four quick conversions to knot the matchup’s fifth set at 11. However, PLDT answered by going on a 4-1 run of their own, as Latigay put the icing on the cake with her game-winning service ace.
Army, playing without veteran Tina Salak, also got double-digit scoring efforts from Mary Jean Balse and Jacqueline Alarca, who combined to put up 26 points in the tightly fought affair.
Last conference – the Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix – PLDT also beat Army in the preliminary round, taking care of them in three sets. However, the Roger Gorayeb-coached squad got eliminated in the semis to Cignal, while Army went on to win the title.
Dindin Santiago smashes in a point against Cagayan. Photo by Josh AlbeldaDindin Santiago smashes in a point against Cagayan. Photo by Josh Albelda
Din-Din strikes again: Santiago’s 31 leads Petron past Cagayan Province
In the second game of the day, the Petron Blaze Spikers improved their record to 2-0 by ousting the Cagayan Province Lady Rising Suns, 22-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-21, while sending their opponents to a paltry 0-3 record.
Santiago, whose 37 points in her debut was a PSL record for most points scored in a game, followed up her maiden performance with a 31-point display on Wednesday.
The Blaze Spikers also got contributions from Mina Aganon and Sandra de los Santos, who had 18 and 10, respectively. On the other hand, Angeli Tabaquero, who top-scored with 15 markers, guided Cagayan Province.
The Lady Rising Suns got off to a quick start, winning the first set while abandoning their plan in the first two games of the conference of playing Bang Pineda at Libero. Nonetheless, Santiago heated up quick, and so did the rest of Petron, which was without Philippine SuperLiga ambassador Gretchen Ho.
Down by one, 21-20, and four more points away from having to play a fifth set, the Blaze Spikers uncorked a 5-0 rally to put away their opponents for good in the fourth period.
Petron and AirAsia, which both have identical 2-0 records, currently lead the All-Filipino Conference standings.
The Blaze Spikers won’t be back in action until June 4 (Wednesday), when they take on Generika-Army at 4:00PM. Source: Rappler.com