January 14th, 9:43am January 14th, 11:55am Julius ManicadHold My Beer

A prominent member of the Cuban national women’s team ended up competing in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, after all.

Generika-Ayala is set to parade Lisbet Arredondo when the import-flavored conference fires off next month.

Lifesavers’ team manager Allyn Sta. Maria broke the news to Daily Tribune, saying that they already sent her a copy of the contract, making her the fourth super import to see action in the country’s most prestigious league.

Reigning champion Petron will be bannered by former United States national pool member Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell while F2 Logistics tapped seasoned American-Italian spiker Becky Perry.

The Lifesavers, however, refused to back down as they called on Arredondo, who is coming in with glowing credentials for being part of the great Cuban squad from 2006 to 2010.

Since then, she campaigned in various club leagues in countries like Turkey, Indonesia, Finland and Spain.

“We already sent her a copy of the contract,” said Sta. Maria, whose hard work prompted the Lifesavers to barge into the semifinals in the All-Filipino Conference last year.

This isn’t the first time for Arredondo to be considered.

In the previous edition of the Grand Prix, Smart, which was then coached by Ronald Dulay, made a serious run at her until negotiations bogged down at the last minute.

Instead, the Giga Hitters signed her fellow Cuban national team member in Gyselle Silva, who won the hearts of Filipinos when she erupted for 56 points, the highest scoring output in the league and the third highest in the world.

Now, Dulay is with the Lifesavers as their tactical coach and is said to be behind the hiring of Arredondo.

“Coach Ronald spent a lot of time scouting her as early as last year,” a source said.

The Lifesavers have yet to release the name of their second import, but key local players like Ria Meneses, Fiola Ceballos, Patty Orendain and Angeli Araneta are all expected to return.