Nationals downs Cocolife in a sweep in PSL

The national women’s volleyball team wins against Cocolife Asset Managers in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference on Saturday – its first game after being formed last month. ROMAN PROSPERO / TIEBREAKER TIMES

MANILA – The national women’s volleyball team made a quick work of Cocolife Asset Managers 25-13, 25-17, 25-11 in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.

Sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the way with 17 and 12 points, respectively, for the Nationals, which suited up with just nine players in its first appearance since being formed last month.

The Nationals showed signs of struggle early in the opening set, trailing 12-13 before unloading a decisive 13-0 scoring run behind the Santiago sisters to wrap up the set.

Taking advantage of Asset Managers’ errors in the second set, the Nationals surged to a 20-13 lead on back-to-back aces by Santiago. In the third set, the Nationals was not to be denied of a sweep as it opened a 16-6 lead and never looked back.

“We’re still adjusting and we missed a lot of key players but the important thing [is] all the players delivered for us,” said Nationals head coach Ceseal Delos Santos. “While the game didn’t have any bearing, we’re still thankful we won our first game.”

The Nationals participated in the PSL Invitational Tournament as part of its build-up for the 18th Asian Games in August and the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship in September.

In the second game, Grand Prix champion Petron Blaze Spikers cruised to its second straight victory this conference as it walloped University of the Philippines-United Auctioneers Lady Maroons 25-9, 25-16, 25-17.

Cherry Rondina flirted with a triple-double with 11 points, 13 digs and nine excellent receptions while Bernadeth Pons and Mika Reyes added 10 markers each for Blaze Spikers.

Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors inched closer to a quarterfinals seat with a 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 sweep over University of the East-Cherrylume Iron Lady Warriors in the third game. Marjana Philips finished with 18 points for Lady Realtors./PN

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