Lifesavers edge HD Spikers

MANILA, Philippines — Generika-Ayala battled back from 1-2 set down then outduelled Cignal in a back-and-forth decider to hack out a 26-24, 18-25, 16-25, 25-22, 15-11 decision in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last night.

Darlene Ramdin delivered clutch hits to power the Lifesavers to what was only their second victory against five losses at the close of the first round.

Their ranking in the second round, however, would be determined pending the result of the Sta. Lucia Realty-Foton match being played at press time.

Ramdin unleashed 23 kills and came through with two blocks and an ace to finish with 26 points while Symone Hayden tallied 16 markers for the Lifesavers, who struggled early on with four straight setbacks before winning two of their last three games.

With Bosnian import Sonja Milanovic on the attack, the HD Spikers crawled back from a 5-8 deficit to tie the count at 11 in the deciding set.

Ramdin, however, hammered in a powerful backrow attack then Angeli Araneta produced an ace to tow Generika-Ayala closer to match point.

The Carribean star finished the job with back-to-back hits, leaving Milanovic and fellow import Jeane Horton shaking their heads in frustration.

“Darlene is a fighter. She plays her heart out even if she’s in pain,” said Generika-Ayala head coach Sherwin Meneses, beaming with satisfaction over his wards’ impressive performance in the fifth set despite the HD Spikers’ dominance on defense with 18 blocks.

“I told the team that we should not commit unforced errors and improve our service-receive. Fortunately, our first ball worked that’s why our set plays became a little unpredictable in the fifth set.”

Milanovic erupted for a conference-high nine blocks on top of 25 kills to finish with 35 points while Horton chipped in 19 markers for the HD Spikers, who closed the first round with a 3-4 win-loss card.