MANILA – Generika-Ayala Lifesavers showed its toughness in clutch situation. It scored 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 31-33, 15-11 over Petron Blaze Spikers in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Invitational at the San Juan Arena.
After failing to close out the Blaze Spikers in the extended fourth set on Thursday night, the Lifesavers came up with a strong showing behind Bacolodnon Patty Orendain and Angeli Araneta to pull off the huge upset.
Orendain topscored with 23 points, while Araneta scattered 15 kills, three blocks and a pair of service aces for 20 hits.
Lifesavers improved to 3-1 win-loss slate in Group A.
Fiola Ceballos was also instrumental for the Lifesavers with triple-double13 points, 22 digs and 16 excellent receptions while fellow Ilongga April Hingpit made 43 excellent sets facing her former team the Blaze Spikers.
“We’re lucky that the breaks of the fifth set belonged to us,” Lifesavers head coach Sherwin Meneses said. “I just told them that we have nothing to lose against Petron. I believe in my team because we have a balance line-up anyone can contribute.”
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas finished with 14 points while Negrense Bernadeth Pons and Mika Reyes chipped in 13 markers apiece for the Blaze Spikers.
Petron slid to third place in the group with a 2-1 card.
In the first game, the Philippine national women’s team shut down its campaign on a high note. It dominated Smart-Army Lady Troopers in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17.
Jaja Santiago led the way with 15 points off 12 kills including seven excellent receptions while Mylene Paat, MJ Phillips and Maika Ortiz chipped in seven points apiece.
The Nationals capped its guest team stint in the league with 3-0 card./PN
