PSL: Giligans survives pesky Maybank

Jane Bracher

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The Giligans Sisig Kings dominate the Maybank Tigers in straight sets 25-23, 27-25, and 26-24

SISIG KINGS. The Giligans Sisig Kings beat the Maybank Tigers in straight sets. Photo by Jane Bracher/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The Giligans Sisig Kings made their presence felt in the Philippine Super Liga men’s division volleyball by edging the Maybank Tigers in straight action-packed sets, 25-23, 27-25, and 26-24, on Wednesday, November 13, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Giligans may have won in straight sets but it was a hard-fought battle nonetheless as the Tigers never gave up until the final point of every set.

Led by 4-time UAAP champion JP Torres from the University of Santo Tomas, Giligans put pressure on their attacks and pounded on the defense of Maybank. Torres topscored with 12 points that came from 10 kills and two blocks.

In the final set, with Giligans up two sets to none, pressure began to rise as a drop ball courtesy of Maybank’s top scorer Ivan Bacolod knotted the game at 23 all. Bacolod led the way for his team with 10 points.

As Giligans arrived at matchpoint, Maybank kept their composure and leaned on an Alejandro Mallari quick kill to tie again at 24, forcing the deuce.

But breaks of the game went the way of Giligans when they scored the next two points to put Maybank away for good.

In lieu of the close match, coaches from both teams are eyeing to develop their respective teams’ strength and stamina to better perform in pressure-packed situations.

Giligans head coach Frank Mauricio says certain skills such as serving and blocking still need more work.

“We need to polish some skills na lang nila siguro doon sa category ng services, we have to concentrate on that,” he explained after the game. “Siguro sa area ng ng blocking. I have to do something sa blocking. Kasi once na na-block mo yan (the opponent) made-demoralize yan eh.”

(We need to polish some skills in the category of services, we have to concentrate on that. And in the area of blocking. I have to do something with blocking. Because once you block an opponent, he gets demoralized.)

For Maybank head coach Ariel Atendido and his players, the game was more of a revelation to them, signaling that they have what it takes to go head to head against younger teams. Maybank’s players are primarily composed of former UAAP athletes who are now Maybank employees.

He said he looks to rectify the team’s errors and improve communication on the court.

Doon sa last last part ng second set, yung score ng kalaban it’s more of our mistakes,” he said. “We’ll try to minimize our mistakes and focus doon sa skills namin and try to communicate.” (At the last part of the second set, the opponent’s scores were more of our mistakes. We’ll try to minimize our mistakes and focus on our skills and try to communicate.) – Rappler.com

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