By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Imus Sports Center)
2 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Smart
4:15 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs F2 Logistics
Defending champion F2 Logistics takes on Sta. Lucia Realty in what promises to be an entertaining encounter today in the resumption of the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix action at the Imus Sports Center.
Game time is at 4:15 p.m., with the Cargo Movers out to gain a hold of the second spot and the Lady Realtors determined to come up with another strong performance that would underscore their readiness to go deep this time around.
Meanwhile, struggling teams, Generika-Ayala and newcomer Smart, square off in the 2 p.m. opener, with the winner finally crashing into the winners’ column and the loser being left out at the tail-end of the eight-team field.
All eyes, however, will be on the main match, with reigning league MVP Jose Maria Perez and fellow F2 Logistics reinforcement Kennedy Bryan expected to have their hands full on Sta. Lucia counterparts Kristen Moncks, Marisa Field and Bohdana Anisova.
But the Cargo Movers’ top locals, led by veterans Aby Maraño, Ara Galang, setter Kim Fajardo and new recruit Lourdes Clemente, are eager to make life easier for their prized imports, much like what they did against the Giga Hitters the last time out.
Cuban star Gyselle Silva, Smart’s gem of an import, groped for form against F2 Logistics’ defensive fortress at the net that limited her to a season-low 17 points in the course of their 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 setback last week.
“We forced her out of her comfort zone, which was a major part of our game plan,” said F2 Logistics head coach Arnold Laniog, adding that they are also eager to do such against Sta. Lucia’s top guns which include Fil-Am hitter MJ Phillips.
“We know that Sta. Lucia is a veteran team with a lot of weapons. As much as possible, we want to be at our best not only defensively, but also offensively, when we play against them. We will be ready, that’s for sure.”
The same thing can be expected from the Lady Realtors, who will come in with ample confidence following a 32-30, 25-22, 25-21 win over the new-look Cignal HD Spikers last week.