Cocolife, Foton target semis berths

MANILA, Philippines — Cocolife and Foton shoot for the last two semifinal berths as they tangle with Cignal and Sta. Lucia, respectively, today in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Led by new import Marta Drpa, the Asset Managers battle the HD Spikers at 4:15 p.m. while the Tornadoes hope to draw big games from two new recruits as they collide with the Lady Realtors at 7 p.m.

F2 and Petron, which also downed Generika-Ayala in four sets in the other quarterfinal battle, clinched the first two slots in the semis with the powerhouse teams also tipped to dispute the championship.

Meanwhile, the league will give a special tribute to Gyselle Silva, who is set to leave Manila later in the day. The power-hitting Cuban reinforcement of Smart, will be honored with a plaque and a special jersey for setting a league-record 56 points during Smart’s five-set loss to Cocolife last April 7 in Batangas.

The 26-year-old former national team member put the league in world volleyball map as her feat emerged third in world scoring record behind the 58 points of Polina Rahimova of Azerbaijan in 2015 and 57 points of Madison Kingdon of United States and Elitsa Vasileva of Bulgaria in 2017 and 2013, respectively.

But Silva failed to help deliver a win for the Giga Hitters.