Gonzaga powers Cignal over Iriga

Jovelyn Gonzaga gave Cignal HD a huge lift as it thumped newcomer Iriga City, 26-24, 25-23, 25-17, to arrest a two-game skid in the Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan yesterday.

Gonzaga delivered for the Spikers at the homestretch of the first and second sets before Royse Tubino and Australian Beth Carey took over in the one-sided third frame to hand Cignal HD its second win in five matches.

Gonzaga smashed a team-high 15 points all on attacks she spiked with four excellent receptions and three digs, Carey and fellow middle blocker Alexis Matthews from the US each rifled in 10 markers while Tubino and skipper Stephanie Mercado chipped in six apiece for Cignal HD.

“Getting the victory was overwhelming since we also came from back-to-back losses. Hopefully, the players will be able to sustain their winning character,” said Spikers coach George Pascua.

Serbian Tamara Kmezic, the tallest reinforcement at 6-foot-6, swung 22 points, Japanese Saam Miyagawa churned out 14 while Janeca Lana led the locals with six points for the Oragons who absorbed their third straight loss against a stunning first game victory.

Gonzaga sparked a 5-1 closing tear for the Spikers in the first set as they negated Kmezic’s hot 12-point start for Iriga City.

The hard-hitting spiker from Guimaras then duplicated her feat in the second frame, stepping up with three points at the finish, the last shoving Cignal HD to set point after the Spikers blew a 19-15 lead.

Tubino and Carey then presided over the Spikers’ third set breakaway to shake off a slow start in the frame and ensure the victory.

Meanwhile, F2 Logistics dumped Cocolife, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21, to remain unbeaten in three games.

Power-hitting Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela keyed the Cargo Movers’ strong finishes in each set, teaming up with Aby Marano at the close of the first and third frames to put the Asset Managers away and stay at third behind Foton (4-0) and Petron (4-1).

Cocolife slipped to 2-3 after backto-back victories and joined Cignal HD and Generika at fourth, fifth and sixth spots.