Lifesavers hold off Power Hitters, force rubber in Super Liga

Sixth-ranked Generika-Ayala put up a valiant effort on the Day of Valor, overcoming a 0-1 deficit to steal a 21-25, 2522, 25-22, 26-24 verdict over No. 3 PLDT Home Fibr and force a rubbermatch in their Philippine Superliga Grand Prix quarterfinal duel yesterday at Filoil Flying V Center.

Five players led by Thai import Som Kuthaisong and skipper Angeli Araneta turned in double-digit outputs as the Lifesavers took the hard-earned victory in the two-hour, sixminute encounter and set the stage for a sudden death for a semis berth.

Kuthaisong punched in 17 points, all from attacks, while skipper Araneta, responding to coach Sherwin Meneses’ challenge to step up, added 10 attacks and four aces to go with 16 excellent digs.

Ria Meneses matched Araneta’s 17 as they eased the burden on Kseniya Kocyigit (13) while Fiola Ceballos chipped in 11 markers plus 12 receptions and libero Bia General had 30 digs and 14 receptions.

“We’ve played PLDT in two five-set matches before so we knew this one’s going to be tight again. We just have to double our efforts and maybe we can get the breaks, like we did today,” said Meneses, whose wards can complete the reversal with another win tomorrow.

The Lifesavers faced an early 11-17 deficit but fought on and closed in on the Power Hitters at 21-23 only to surrender the opening frame on back-to-back tip and block by Jasmine Nabor.

Meneses’ charges didn’t lose heart and continued to press on, outduelling the Power Hitters in the run towards the finish in the second and third before erasing a 16-20 deficit with a searing windup in the fourth capped by Araneta’s back-toback aces.

“When they took the first set, we told ourselves we still have a chance to meet our objective, which is to win six sets in this matchup to reach the semis. And now we’re halfway there,” said Meneses.

Generika-Ayala spoiled the 23-point explosion of PLDT’s Kendra Dahlke, who got scoring support from Grace Lazard (15) and Aiko Urdas (eight).