JANINE Marciano took charge for a Cignal side that lost Puerto Rican import Lynda Morales early to injury as the HD Spikers edged the Generika Lifesavers, 22-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-4, on Tuesday in the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix at The Arena in San Juan.
The former San Beda ace led the HD Spikers with 17 points, from 14 kills and three service aces.
American reinforcement Laura Schaudt, Mylene Paat and skipper Micmic Laborte each had nine markers for Cignal, while Cherry Mae Vivas and Paneng Mercado added six points apiece.
[See Cignal import Lynda Morales brushes off ankle injury after bad fall: 'It's just a little swollen']
“I told the players na never mind that, kasi kung ano ang nagagawa ni Lynda magagawa ng local players ko,” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar.
“So ’yung mga local players ko ang kinakausap ko na they have to bring out their best.”
“Sabi ko sa kanila forget it, may mga ganoon talagang nangyayari, ayaw ko na kung ano ang mangyari kay Lynda ma-pressure sila doon,” he added.
It was the HD Spikers’ first win after starting the conference with two losses.
“Alam mo naman kapag galing sa talo medyo down ang team pero ngayon nakapanalo na kami I hope ang confidence ng team ko nandoon na, ‘yun lang naman ang hanap ko ang makapanalo kami,” said the veteran mentor.
American import Darlene Ramdin and University of Santo Tomas middle blocker Ria Meneses led Generika with 14 points each, while Russian reinforcement Polina Liutikova added 10.
Generika absorbed its fifth loss in as many matches.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
