Jaeckel propels Mane ’N Tail over Foton in Superliga

Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)

2 p.m. – Generika vs Foton (W)

4 p.m. – RC Cola vs Petron (W)

6 p.m. – Cignal vs Maybank (M)
 

MANILA, Philippines - Kristy Jaeckel sizzled on the firing end, towing Mane ‘N Tail to a nail-biting  25-22, 17-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-6 win over Foton in the 2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Billed as the league’s most dominant import, Jaeckel erupted for a league-high 40 points as the Lady Stallions formally notched their first win in three games in the women’s division of this prestigious inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.

The 6-foot-2 Jaeckel, a former star at the University of Florida in the Division I of the US NCAA, finished with 32 kills, four blocks and four service aces in an impressive display of skills, technique, beauty and power never before seen in local volleyball circuit.

She finished with 31 points in their opening game against Cignal and 37 points against Petron to post an eye-popping average of 36 points in three games.

“What I achieved today was just a reflection of my team,” Jaeckel said. “In volleyball, you can’t score too many points if you don’t have the support of your teammates. It was a total team effort. Everybody is getting better, especially our setter and libero. This could be the start of something good.”

Jaeckel’s partner, Kaylee Manns, nailed seven hits for a total of 11 points while controlling the tempo, especially in the fourth and fifth sets where the Lady Stallions asserted their will to completely overpower the Tornadoes.

“We were too relaxed in the first three sets,” Mane ‘N Tail coach Francis Vicente said. “They knew that they played well in their first two games that’s why they entered this game full of confidence. Finally, they woke up in the fifth set. I was impressed. That’s how I expect this team to play.”

After playing a little tentative in the first three sets, the Lady Stallions kicked back in the fourth set with Jaeckel catching fire. She connived with Mitch Datuin and Rossan Fajardo as Mane ‘N Tail ripped the game wide open, turning a 2-3 deficit into an 11-5 lead en route to the set victory.

“The key to this win is the teamwork among the locals and imports,” Vicente said. “Kristy couldn’t do 37 points each game. Sometimes, the locals also have to do their job to make the team effective. Everybody should step up. Everybody should work together.”

Irina Tarasova nailed 29 points to lead the Tornadoes, who remain winless in two starts.