Cagayan, Cignal make PSL semis

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan Valley bucked the sidelining of Thai import Wanida Kotruang due to injury as it thwarted newcomer RC Cola, 25-21, 25-18, 15-25, 25-9, while Cignal repulsed Petron, 19-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22, yesterday as they advanced to the semifinal round of the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball at the Ynares Sports Center.

Kotruang, who sustained muscle spasms last week, saw action only in the first set as coach Nes Pamilar pulled out her out so as not to aggravate the injury. But fellow Thai Patcharee Saengmuang and local aces Angeli Tabaquero and Aiza Maizo-Fontillas took charge to power the Rising Suns past the RC Cola side and into a Final Four clash with reigning champion TMS-Army on Saturday.

“I felt we’re in control right from the start,” said Cagayan coach Nestor Pamilar. “So, I decided to rest Kotruang starting the second set. Her right knee needs a rest. And we need a healthy Kotruang in the semis.”

Cignal, meanwhile, recovered from a sluggish start to pound out a similar four-setter over Petron to set up a semis clash with PLDT MyDSL.

Danika Gendrauli upstaged the team’s reinforcements as he fired 11 kills and made four service aces to finish with a game-high 17 points for the HD Spikers in the tournament organized by Sports Core and recognized by the International Volleyball Federation with Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Jinling Sports as main backers and Solar Sports as broadcast partner.

Chinese import Xie Lei had 15 points while Maureen Penetrante-Ouano, Abigail Praca and another Chinese Li Zhanzhan provided defense on the net, particularly in the second and third sets where they dominated the Blaze Spikers.

Japanese Shinako Tanaka had 12 of her 13 points on kills for Petron, which crashed out of the semis after falling short last conference.

Saengmuang had 15 of her game-high 19 points on attacks while Tabaquero, also coming off an injury, finished with 14 points and Maizo-Fontillas added 13 markers.