Petron seeks third straight win, solo lead vs Cignal

MANILA, Philippines -  Defending champion Petron guns for its third straight win and the solo lead as it clashes with winless Cignal even as Foton and Amy’s Kitchen tangle in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament at Cuneta Astrodome today.

Tied with F2 Logistics and RC Cola-Army with back-to-back victories, the Tri-Activ Spikers set out as the heavy favorite in their 6 p.m. duel with the HD Spikers, who, in contrast, have dropped their first two games.

Locked in a three-way logjam at the top with F2 Logistics and RC Cola-Army, the Tri-Activ Spikers are looking good with their impenetrable floor defense and fluid offense.

Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and new recruit Bernadeth Pons of FEU are expected to lead Petron’s bid again with the duo taking turns in peppering the defense with crisp spikes from the wings while Bang Pineda and Jen Reyes took charge of defense in their  25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 27-25 win over Generika last Saturday.

Maizo-Pontillas registered 16 of her 17 points on kills while Pons had 12 hits and three blocks to finish with 16 points for Petron, which overhauled its roster during the off-season following the departure of Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Maraño, Dindin Manabat and Fille Cayetano.

“Although I love the result of our previous games, the job is not yet done. It’s still a long way to go,” said Petron coach George Pascua, out to duplicate their 13-0 sweep of last year’s season-opening conference. “We still have to work hard. All teams are strong. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

Cignal, however, is going all out to stun Petron.

After absorbing a four-set loss to the Cargo Movers in the opener and a straight-set defeat to the Lady Troopers over the weekend, the HD Spikers are eager to gain redemption and vowed to pour it all out against the Tri-Activ Spikers.

Defensive specialist Jeanette Panaga has yet to dish out top form while Carmela Tunay, Janine Navarro and Cherry Vivas all look sluggish early on.