Generika off to hot start in PSL Invitational

Games on Saturday (Ynares Sports Arena)

4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Petron

6 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs PLDT Home Fibr

MANILA, Philippines — Generika-Ayala kicked off its campaign in style, scoring a 25-19, 25-23, 25-17 romp of Marinerang Pilipina in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference opener at the Bacoor Strike Gym in Cavite yesterday.

Veteran hitters Fiola Ceballos and Mean Mendrez led the way with 12 points apiece as the Lifesavers got off to a hot start in Pool B that also has powerhouses F2 Logistics and Petron.

Patty Orendain had 10 markers of her own for Generika-Ayala, which still missed the services of captain Angeli Araneta due to a left knee injury she suffered in the All-Filipino Conference last month.

Jamie Lavitoria facilitated the offense with 13 excellent sets and 15 digs while back-up Bia General stepped in for starting libero Kath Arado with 28 digs and six receptions. 

Arado played limited minutes as she just arrived yesterday morning following her stint with the Philippine women’s volleyball team that won the bronze medal in the inaugural ASEAN Grand Prix held in Thailand over the weekend.

“It always feels good to win the first game. It’s a good momentum-builder for us,” said Ceballos, who was named Player of the Game, as the Lifesavers needed only 85 minutes to dispatch the Lady Skippers and open their campaign with a bang after a fifth-place finish last conference. 

Minus star spiker Chiara Fermentila, who is still recovering from an ACL injury she sustained last All-Filipino tourney, Marinerang Pilipina banked on Cesca Racraquin who tallied 14 points and 21 digs that went down the drain in this three-set defeat.