COCOLIFE defeated skidding Iriga City, 25-23, 25-15, 26-24, in the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.
American imports Taylor Milton and Shar Latai Manu-Olevao showed the way as the Asset Managers, coming off a straight-sets loss to F2 Logistics, improved to 3-3 for fourth spot.
Milton led all scorers with 20 points, while Manu-Olevao had 19 in the one hour and 36-minute match.
“Kay Iriga anytime na mag-relax ka tutuhugin ka eh,” said Cocolife coach Kungfu Reyes. “Hindi ko nalang alam kung natalo pa kami doon (first set), baka nagfifth-set pa kami.”
“Although bata ang Iriga sa liga, hindi mo pa din pwedeng balewalain kita naman sa first game nila,” he added.
The Asset Managers took a 24-21 lead in the first set before the Oragons threatened, 23-24.
In the third set, Cocolife was comfortably ahead, 18-11, but Iriga City import Saam Miyagawa sparked a 9-2 run to tie it at 20.
The Oragons reached set point, 24-23, but back-to-back attacks from Milton pushed the Asset Managers at match point and an overreaching error by Kat Villegas handed the win to Cocolife.
“‘Yung third set nag-struggle kami buti nalang nakarecover. ‘Yung sa amin, buti may lumabas naman kahit papaano,” said Reyes. “Kaya ‘yun nakuha namin ‘yung third set, though (it was) a close fight. Still, panalo pa din kami.”
Serbian import Tamara Kmezic had 16 points, while Japan’s Miyagawa chipped in 10 for Iriga City, which absorbed its fourth straight loss after a five-set victory in its conference opener against Sta. Lucia.
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