Blaze Spikers force do-or-die

MANILA, Philippines - Petron bucked a third set fold-up and overhauled a three-point deficit late in the fourth as the Blaze Spikers pounded a 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 26-24 victory over Foton yesterday to force a winner-take-all match for the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix crown.

Rachel Daquis and Dindin Manabat came through with a clutch block to shatter the 24-all count in the fourth and anchor the team’s big fightback then the Blaze Spikers watched Foton hitter’s spike went long to snatch the victory before a roaring packed crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Petron, winner of the previous GP and All-Filipino Conference, actually waited for a while before celebrating the win that avenged its 25-14, 21-25, 19-25, 22-25 setback in the opener of their best-of-three series last week as Foton challenged the last call that was eventually ruled unsuccessful.

The rubbermatch is set Saturday.

Rupia Inck overcame a shaky start and came through with big hits in the fourth while middle hitters Aby Maraño and Manabat checked and dominated the Tornadoes’ vaunted duo of Jaja Santiago and Katie Messing all game.

Inck rammed in 24 hits, including four kills in the fourth, to finish with a game-high 25 points while Maraño and Manabat tossed in 16 markers apiece for the Blaze Spikers, who are seeking to complete a rare grand slam in the tournament presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Mikasa, Senoh and Mueller as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcaster.

“It was such a great game that tested our mental toughness,” said Petron coach George Pascua. “We banked on our championship experience, which is crucial in tight finishes.”

After averting a shutout loss, Foton took a 22-19 lead in the fourth but Inck punched in three hits to force a tie before Messing scored on a quick set to shove the Tornadoes to the lead again at 24-23. Daquis and Manabat combined to block another Foton attack to level the count again.

The Blaze Spikers came out smoking coming off a four-set loss in Game One, dominating the opening set before sustaining their form for another emphatic win in the second.

But the Tornadoes, who upended the top seeded Philips Gold Lady Slammers in the knockout semis, struck back in the third behind import Lindsay Stalzer, Santiago and Messing, as they seized control early before thwarting the Blaze Spikers’ series of rallies.

Like Petron in the first two frames, Foton kept the momentum of its third set win and dictated the tempo in the fourth and appeared headed to forcing a deciding fifth set when it surged to a 22-19 lead.

But the Blaze Spikers refused to give up and fought back to rack up nine of the last 13 points, including that crucial double-block from Daquis and Manabat that put them back on top.