Adjusted Generika-Ayala ready for battle
GENERIKA-Ayala will be coming in with a lot of confidence when the Philippine Superliga ( PSL) All- Filipino Conference kicks off.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses said the team’s adjustment period is finally over and it’s now time for them to join the heavyweights in a wide- open race to the title of this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Sogo, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, UCPB Gen, Bizooku and Genius Sports.
Meneses said they didn’t boost their lineup with a blue chip recruit, but Angeli Araneta, Marivic Meneses, Mikaela Lopez, Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain will all return with better cohesion and familiarity.
Of course, backline defenders Kat Arado and Bia General will also be back together with Bang Pineda, April Hingpit, Carol Cerveza, Laizah Bendong, Sheeka Espinosa, Marlyn Llagoso and Jamie Lavitoria.
“The adjustment period is over and it’s now time for us to come up with the result,” said Meneses, hoping to transform their great off-season preparation into a successful return to the semifinals after a long absence.
“We had a great off-season and our chemistry had improved. I hope we can carry the momentum all the way to the All-Filipino Conference.”
The league opens on Oct. 30 at the Filoil Flying V Centre while the formal opening ceremony will be on Nov. 3 at the Ynares Sports Center.
Prior to that, there will be a Fans’ Day this Sunday at the Taguig Lakefront Community Park in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City.
Generika-Ayala rolled the dice early this year when it hired Meneses to replace former national team head coach Francis Vicente.
With very limited time to prepare and instill his system, Meneses led the Lifesavers to a seventh-place finish in the Grand Prix before emerging fifth in the Invitational Conference.
This time, Meneses is gunning for no less than a semifinal spot.
“Since the time I assumed, we’re improving every conference,” he noted.
“Our team is very motivated to make it to the semifinals this time. There’s no more excuse since we have been together for one whole year. So, it’s now time to play hard and deliver the result.”