COCOLIFE moved one step closer to the fourth place after it turned back Sta. Lucia, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 12-25, 15-11, in the classification match for the fourth to sixth spot in the Belo-Philippine Super Liga Invitational Conference at The Arena in San Juan on Friday.
Rosemarie Vargas and skipper Michele Gumabao finished with 20 and 17 points, respectively, for the Asset Managers who had a 1-0 card in the final round.
Although Cocolife is no longer in contention for the title, the Asset Managers tested the mettle of the Japanese guest team Kobe Shinwa University on Thursday and it paid off in their gritty win over Sta Lucia.
“Buti nalang kahapon sa tune-up namin, maganda-ganda ‘yung ginawa sa amin ng Japan. Meron kaming natutunan doon kahapon na kailangan pag whistle ng referee, naka-ready ka (for service),” said Cocolife coach Obet Javier.
“Kanina medyo lumabas sa amin ‘yung ganong style, especially noong nagse-serve si (Kaye) Daly. Kinuha niya ‘yung style ng Japan kahapon sa practice game namin,” he added.
Javier said that although his team lost to Kobe Shinwa University, 18-25, 18-25, 18-25, they were able to learn some techniques from the foreign team.
“‘Yung bilis ng galaw ng Japan at ‘yun nga ‘yung tactics nila sa serve (ang natutunan namin),” he said.
“Sa practice game namin, siguro pinakamatagal na mga two seconds (bago mag-serve ang Japan). Sa atin kasi sa ‘Pinas kino-consume natin ‘yung eight seconds, sa kanila hindi,” he added.
Cocolife will face Generika-Ayala (1-0) on Saturday and the winner of the match will end up at fourth place in the tournament.
Jovielyn Prado and Wensh Tiu each had eight points for the Asset Managers, while libero Denden Lazaro had 21 digs in a match that took two hours and 13 minutes to finish.
Former College of St. Benilde stars Ranya Musa and Jannine Navarro led Sta. Lucia in combining for 29 points, while University of Perpetual Help stalwart Lourdes Clemente added 11 and Rica Enclona of CSB and Danna Henson from Arellano University had 10 markers apiece for the Lady Realtors.
Sta. Lucia settled for the sixth place with a 0-2 record in the classification phase.