F2 Logistics gains Superliga finals

F2 Logistics barely broke a sweat in booking a championship berth against Cocolife, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17, yesterday in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Cargo Movers came out aggressive in the first two sets and encountered little resistance in third frame for the team’s first finals appearance in the conference.

It was also the franchise’s third championship stint in the league.

Imports Maria Jose Perez and Kennedy Bryan fired 18 and 13 points, respectively, including combined 29 kills to anchor F2 Logistics and duplicate its 26-24, 25-21, 25-21 victory in the eliminations last Nov. 11.

“Mas nag-jell lang yung team ngayon. Mas naging aggressive,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil De Jesus.

“Ayoko kasing mangyari yung unang game namin sa kanila na lalamang kami, tapos makukuha ng kabila, tapos mahihirapan kaming makabalik,” added De Jesus, referring to their elimination match against Cocolife.

After a swift first two sets where the Cargo Movers took advantage of the Asset Managers’ lethargic plays, F2 Logistics saw Cocolife slowly attacking the net with spikers Taylor Milton and Shar Manu-Olevao for an early 10-all tie.

But De Jesus’ local stars in Kim Dy, Aby Maraño and Kim Fajardo immediately stepped on the gas to grab the upperheand and never look back.

Manu-Olevao and Milton finished 13 and 10 points in futile attempts.

F2 Logistics, which beat lowly Iriga City in the quarterfinals, awaits the winner between defending champion Foton and powerhouse Petron for their best-of-three championship series.

Foton and Petron were still playing at presstime.

American imports Shar Latai Manu-Olevao and Taylor Milton made 13 and 10 points apiece for Cocolife, which gave away 27 points to F2 Logistics courtesy of its errors in a match that took an hour and 25 minutes to finish.

The Asset Managers were relegated to the battle for third against the loser of the match between Foton and Petron.

The finals start on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan City.