MANILA – Smart Prepaid Giga Hitters made a quick work of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21, to advance to the semifinals of the 2018 Philippine Superliga Invitational at the San Juan Arena.
Ilongga Nerissa Bautista and Joanne Bunag led the way with eight points each on Thursday night while Jem Nicole Guttierez and Mary Jean Balse-Pabayo added seven points each.
The Giga Hitters will face Petron Blaze Spikers in the knockout semifinals.
After handily beating the Lifesavers in the opening set, the Giga Hitters nearly stumbled in the second frame before sealing the set, thanks to an error by Lifesavers’ Patty Jane Orendain.
In the third set, the Giga Hitters seemed headed to victory after building a 24-18 advantage but the Lifesavers made its last run to come to within 21-24. Balse-Pabayo sealed the match with a smash off a combination play.
“Siguro merong halong swerte din sa amin. Maganda ang gising ng mga players namin,” said Giga Hitters head coach Emilio Reyes. “Ang goal naman talaga ng team is to make the semis. Nandito na kami ngayon, so why not strive for more?”
Bacolodnon Orendain finished with 11 points while Marivic Meneses and Angeli Araneta added nine and eight points, respectively, for the Lifesavers which will battle Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors for fifth place.
F2 Logistics Cargo Movers earlier clinched the remaining semifinals seat after scoring a 25-16, 20-25, 25-17, 25-15 win over the Lady Realtors in their own quarterfinals series.
Kim Kianna Dy led the way with 16 points. Cha Cruz-Behag added 12 markers while Ilongga Abigail Marano and Mary Joy Baron had 11 points each for Cargo Movers.
The Cargo movers will face Cignal HD Spikers in the semifinals./PN
