Blaze Spikers halt Asset Managers, keep bid for No. 1
Games tomorrow 4 p.m. – Cignal HD vs Victoria Sports-UST 6 p.m. – Iriga City vs F2 Logistics
Petron kept its bid for the top seeding going, outlasting Cocolife in the third frame, 25-19, 25-21, 25-22, at the close of its elims campaign in the Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.
The Blaze Spikers shattered a 21-all count in the third as they pounced on the Asset Managers’ three straight miscues, the last putting them at match point before Ces Molina scored on a combination play to seal the team’s seventh victory against a loss.
Petron thus tied threepeat seeking Foton at 7-1. But though the Blaze Spikers had superior points than the Tornadoes in the tiebreaker, the idle F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, also toting a 6-1 slate, could clinch the No. 1 spot in the knockout quarters phase with a straightset victory over the unfancied Iriga City Oragons (2-5) tomorrow.
“I just told the team to never underestimate an opponent as they also came prepared especially since this is our last game in the eliminations. Our goal is to boost our morale and intensity heading into the quarters,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos.
He added that they are ready to take the No. 2 seeding for a quarters duel with the No. 7 team Tuesday.
“That’s the importance of our victory today. We will go to the quarterfinals with high morale and ready for battle,” said Delos Santos.
The Blaze Spikers actually faced a tough stand from the Asset Managers in the third with American Tai Manu-Olevao pouring in half of her team-high 16 points in the frame.
The Blaze Spikers also battled through 11 deadlocks in the third set and even had to fight back from an 18-20 deficit to complete the straight set victory.
A Mika Reyes block and a hit by American Hillary Hurley tied the count and an off-the-block hit by Molina shoving Petron to a 21-20 lead.
American Taylor Milton, however, countered to force another tie but the Blaze Spikers regained control on three straight Cocolife errors.
Lutgarda Malaluan made up for an earlier error on a block to save the match point but Molina came through with a hit to finish off the Asset Managers.