By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Malolos Sports and Convention Center)
4 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Petron
6 p.m. – Smart vs Foton
Streaking Petron aims to continue its rampage against struggling Generika-Ayala today as the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix brings its act to the Malolos Sport and Convention Center.
Game time is at 4 p.m., with the Blaze Spikers out to stretch their hot start to five matches and sustain their hold of the top spot while trying to compound the woes of the Lifesavers who have yet to break the ice after two tries.
All eyes will be on Petron’s dynamic duo of imports Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley, who tallied a combined 41-point output in scoring a vengeful four-set victory over defending champion F2 Logistics over the weekend.
Out to lead Generika-Ayala’s bid are imports Darlene Ramdin, Symone Hayden and Mexican libero Kimberly Gutierrez alongside key locals Angeli Araneta, Ria Meneses and Bang Pineda.
Clashing in the main match at 6 p.m. are former two-time tournament champion Foton and newcomer Smart, both aiming to get back on the right track.
The Tornadoes, still making adjustments under new coach Rommel Abella, are counting big on imports Brooke Kranda and Elizabeth Wendel plus skipper skipper Dindin Manabat and Maika Ortiz as they try to end a two-game bleeding.
However, the Tornadoes are expected to have their hands full against the Giga Hitters, who are also aching to finally secure what seems to be an elusive victory in the import-spiced tourney.
Former Cuban national team member Gyselle Silva, good for 28 points per game, has emerged as Smart’s primary offensive weapon, but has yet to get much needed lift from her teammates in their first two losses.
Smart coach Ronald Dulay, however, expressed high hopes that the arrival of Serbian Sanja Trivunovic and veteran middle blocker Maureen Penetrante-Ouano could help ease the load off Silva’s shoulders.
Trivunovic, who played with Cocolife import Sara Klisura, international star Tijana Boskovic and coach Moro Branislav for Serbian side Partizan Vizura in the early years of her professional career, is expected to provide an added firepower.
