Araneta shines as Lifesavers rip Oragons

Generika-Ayala silenced newcomer Iriga City, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, to check a two-game slide and wheel back into contention in the Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Skipper Angeli Araneta doused the Oragons’ fightback in the second set then teamed up with Croatian Katarina Pilepic in the third as the Lifesavers completed their straightset romp after cruising in the opening frame.

Generika-Ayala thus improved to 2-3 for fifth while dealing the Oragons their second straight setback following the suspension of former many-time NCAA MVP Grethcel Soltones.

Pilepic fired 20 points, Araneta churned out 13 markers, Shaya Adorador turned in seven points, Chloe Cortez added six points while Darlene Ramdin of Trinidad and Tobago, who was still recovering from food poisoning, had a solitary point while suiting up on in the second set for Generika-Ayala.

American Penina Snuka produced 25 excellent sets for the Lifesavers.

“I just motivated them in terms of their mindset toward the game. That has been our problem. They should be relaxed and happy and they should enjoy the game,” said Generika-Ayala coach Francis Vicente.

Serbian Tamara Kmezic came through with 15 points, Japanese Saam Miyagawa added seven hits while Janeca Lana netted five markers for Iriga City, which slid to sixth at 1-2.

Meanwhile, Petron made short work of guest team Victoria Sports University of Santo Tomas, 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 in the second game.

Coming off a sorry four-set loss to F2 Logistics, the Blaze Spikers jumped the gun early and never looked back to notch their fourth win in five games.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas delivered 10 points while Remy Palma and import Lindsay Stalzer had eight markers apiece for the Blaze Spikers, who had the luxury of shuffling their personnel to give the college girls a very good fight.

“We wanted to regain our confidence,” said Petron coach Shaq delos Santos.