Generika, RC Cola try to fan bids

MANILA, Philippines - Generika and RC Cola-Air Force try to sustain their surge as they take on separate rivals today in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Life Savers collide with the Cignal tossers at 2 p.m. while the Raiders face the Mane ‘N Tail side at 4 p.m., both looking for victories and a continued share of joint second at 5-3.

In the men’s side of the top inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners with Solar Sports as official broadcast partner, reigning champion PLDT Telpad stakes its unbeaten slate against Bench-Systema at 6 p.m.

With reinforcements Emily Brown and Bonita Wise drawing enough support from the local crew led by Joy Cases, Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan, the Raiders upended the erstwhile unbeaten Petron spikers, 25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, to gain a share of second with Generika, which nipped Mane ‘N Tail in five, 25-22, 27-29, 25-18, 22-25, 15-12.

“So far, so good. We’re hoping to sustain the momentum,” said RC Cola-Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo. “We’re taking it one game at a time. We have to deal with our next opponent first before even thinking of advancing to the finals. We still have a long way to go.”

Brown, the 6-foot-2 former Kansas star, played her best game of the tournament as she finished with 17 points while Cases, Wise and Ortiz chipped in 14, 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Mane ‘N Tail, however, is out to improve on its 3-5 record with import Kristy Jaeckel, who erupted for 39 points in their previous loss to Generika, expected to lead their bid again.

“We have to neutralize her scoring prowess just like what we did in our first encounter,” said Verayo, whose wards beat the Lady Stallions, 25-22, 26-24,22-25, 25-22, in the first round.

Also expected to make its presence felt is the surging Generika.

After starting out slow, the Life Savers won their next three games, thanks to their vastly-improved attacks, airtight defense and excellent communication inside and outside the court with Abby Marano and Michelle Laborte assuming the leadership role while import Natalia Kurobkova, Cha Cruz and Stephanie Mercado providing the firepower in the attack zone.

They will be stacked against a tall frontline led by American reinforcements Sarah Ammerman and Lindsay Stalzer together with Aby Praca and Honey Royse Tubino, who played superb on the defensive end in their 14-25, 25-17, 26-28, 21-25 loss to Mane ‘N Tail in their previous encounter.