Cignal HD Spikers sweep Superliga GP first round

ARIEL Usher unloaded a conference-high 36 points as Cignal drubbed RC Cola-Air Force, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, yesterday to complete a 5-0 sweep of the first round of eliminations in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball at Cuneta Astrodome.

The high-scoring import from Oregon hit 29 spikes to lead the HD Spikers, who handed the Raiders their third straight defeat. Usher was far from satisfied with her game. “I didn’t play 100 percent and I made a lot of mistakes but as long as it helped the team, hey, perfect. We won,” said the outspoken Usher, who credited her teammates’ all-out support for her team’s perfect run so far.

Later in the evening, Bojana Todorovic and Myla Pablo took charge in the fifth set as Philips Gold escaped with a 25-18, 26-24, 2225, 23-25, 15-18 over Foton.

Todorovic scored six points in the deciding set including the winning point—a hang-time smash through the block—as the Lady Slammers climbed to 4-1while the Tornadoes fell to 1-3.

RC Cola, led by Puerto Rican import Lynda Morales, fought back hard to steal the second set. But Cignal soon found a way to close down RC Cola’s attack line in the next two sets. Cignal’s other import, Amanda Anderson, chipped in 14 points, while libero Jheck Dionela took charge of defense as she came up with four digs and receives. Morales finished with 19 points, while her fellow Raiders Sara McClinton and Judy Caballejo added 14 each.

“We have perfect bonding with the imports, there is no superstar. There’s no undue pressure on us,” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar.

Usher credited the coaching staff for their fine work in scouting the opposition.

“Obviously we’re super stoked. We have the best coaches for sure. They made excellent scouting,” said Usher.