MANILA – Cignal HD Spikers finally found a way to beat United Volleyball Club after a 25-22, 18-25, 25-21, 25-20 victory in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix quarterfinals on Tuesday night at San Juan Arena.
Erika Wilson led the way with 25 points, while Ana Artemeva added 18 markers for the HD Spikers, which will battle defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers in the best-of-three semifinals round.
Having lost both their elimination round meetings, the HD Spikers came out aggressive by handily winning two of the first three sets behind the exploits of Wilson and Artemeva.
In the fourth set, the HD Spikers were clinging to a 21-18 edge when the United VC made a late run to come to within 20-21 but clutch hits from Rachel Ann Daquis and Mylene Paat sealed the win for the HD Spikers.
“Pinag-usapan namin na ilabas lang nila ‘yung tapang nila. Wala namang nagbago. Pinush lang namin sila. Iba lang talaga ang takbo ng utak nila ngayon. Lumaban talaga sila para sa sarili nila,” said HD Spikers head coach Edgar Barroga.
Filipina-American Kalei Mau and Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani each managed 20 points, while Thai National Team member Sutadta Chuewulim chipped in 14 markers for the United VC.
Meanwhile, Generika-Ayala Lifesavers hung tough down the stretch to eke out a thrilling 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 26-24 win over PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters and stretch the quarterfinals series to a do-or-die game.
Thai import Kanjana Kuthaisong led the charge with 17 points while Azerbaijani reinforcement Kseniya Kocyigit and Angeli Araneta added 14 and 13 markers, respectively, for the Lifesavers./PN
