RC Cola-Army blasts F2 Logistics, wrests solo lead
Powerhouse RC Cola-Army cruised to the solo top spot after an easy win over newcomer F2 Logistics, 25-22, 25-12, 25-19, in the Philippine Super Liga Invitational Conference at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center yesterday.
Rachel Anne Daquis finished with 17 points for the Lady Troopers, who now hold a 2-0 winloss card in this prestigious inter-club tournament bankrolled by Asics, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller and Grand Sports with TV5 as official broadcast partner.
Former three-time champion Army got an extra boost from Honey Royse Tubino and skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga, who each added 13 and 11 markers, respectively.
Lady Troopers assistant coach Rico de Guzman was pleased to see his veteran-laden squad step up and apply their game plan smoothly despite the absence of head coach Kungfu Reyes, who was with the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses for their match in the UAAP.
“So far nagawa namin ( ang game plan), naapply namin ang pina- practice namin kahapon,
‘yung scrimmage kung paano kami maghahanda sa F2, kasi alam namin na malakas sila sa opensa at
depensa,” said De Guzman. Although the Lady Troopers showed their weakness at the net with only four blocks against 10 of the Cargo Movers, Daquis and Gonzaga led the attack (51-27).
“So far wala ako masabi, masaya ako kasi
maganda tinatakbo ng team,” said De Guzman.
“Sila (younger players) ‘yung pumapalit doon sa mga beterano namin. Nadadala na nila ang pagiging sundalo nila, kung anong trabaho ang kailangan ginagawa nila araw-araw,” said De Guzman. Adamson alumna Pau Soriano and former Petron star Aby Marano each had nine points for F2 Logistics, while Cebuana spiker Danika Gendrauli and Therese Veronas added seven markers apiece.
The Cargo Movers evened their card (1-1) after an easy win over New San Jose Builders, 25-23, 25-10, 25-4, on Thursday.
In the other game, Foton recovered from its opening day loss as the Toplander outlasted New San Jose Builders, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17.
Former Arellano standout Danna Henson came through with 12 points for the Toplander while Samantha Dawson and Patty Orendain chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, to make up for their loss to returning powerhouse RC Cola-Army, 17-25, 9-25, 22-25, on Thursday.