MANILA, Philippines — Sta. Lucia walloped a crippled Cignal side, 25-15, 25-15, 25-20, to clinch the silver medal in the PSL Imus City Mayor Maliksi Super Cup ‘Spike For A Cause’ yesterday at the Imus City Sports Complex.
Import Shainah Joseph spearheaded the charge with 16 markers on 16 hits as the Lady Realtors vented their ire on the hapless HD Spikers after a loss to West Japan the other day.
Sta. Lucia (2-1) dropped a gallant defeat against the Japanese university team, 18-25, 23-25, 18-25, but made sure to exit with flying colors in this special tourney organized by the Superliga for the benefit of the Taal Volcano eruption victims.
At the same time, this second-place finish from the four-team special mini-tourney ushered in a triumphant new era for Sta. Lucia under the mentorship of Eddieson Orcullo, who took over from Babes Castillo last month.
Sta. Lucia eclipsed Generika-Ayala in the opener with a thrilling 19-25, 27-25, 18-25, 25-21, 17-15 victory to announce its readiness to contend for the upcoming PSL Grand Prix.
With recruits Mika Reyes, Royse Tubino, Bang Pineda and Jessica Vestal working wonders for the revamped SLR squad, the Lady Realtors hardly encountered resistance from the handicapped Cignal squad missing the services of injured stars Rachel Ann Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga.
The Lady Realtors started strong and thwarted the Cignal fightback in the third frame to win the match in 84 minutes.
Alohi Robins-Hardy had 12 point for the losing side.