Imports give Petron fiery start
Comebacking import Lindsay Stalzer of Petron fires a hard one against Generika defenders Penerica Snuka and Gen Casugod during yesterday’s opening match of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
MANILA, Philippines — Imports Hillary Hurley and Lindsay Stalzer lived above the hype, powering Petron to an easy 25-13, 25-17, 25-19 shellacking of Generika-Ayala in the opening of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Vaunted as the best tandem of imports this year, Stalzer and Hurley sparked a blistering run in the second set before going for the kill in the third to tow the Blaze Spikers to a roaring start.
Hurley, a well-traveled international campaigner, starred with 15 kills for a total of 18 points while Stalzer, who won two crowns with Foton and was named Most Valuable Player in 2015, remains deadly as ever as she finished with 14 points.
Backing up the American reinforcements were middle blockers Ria Meneses and Mika Reyes, who finished with three blocks apiece for Petron.
Petron finished the job in just 75 minutes.
“I’m glad happy everybody delivered,” said Petron coach Shaq delos Santos, downplaying the notion that they’re the biggest threat to Foton’s bid of winning three straight Grand Prix crown.
“Honestly, we had lots to improve on but the good thing is whoever we field in – be they imports or local players – they deliver. I’m happy with our performance today.”
True enough, the Stalzer-Hurley tandem was rock-solid on the attack zone in the first match of this season-ending conference that also has ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.
With the Lifesavers knotting the count at 13 in the second set, Stalzer and Hurley took turns in piercing the defense with booming smashes from the wing and backline spots to spearhead the Blaze Spikers to a 21-15 lead.
Fiola Ceballos connected on a hit from the open spot to stop the bleeding for Generika-Ayala, but Stalzer and Hurley delivered a pair of quick hits before Sisi Rondina joined the fray and tallied the set point, 24-17.
The Lifesavers showed signs of life in the third set with Pilepic and Ramdin at the helm.
But the Blaze Spikers turned a 13-all deadlock into a 22-16 lead, thanks to the heroics of Hurley at the firing end and the solid blocking of Meneses.
Katarina Pilepic of Croatia tallied 14 points while Darlene Ramdin of Trinidad and Tobago had nine markers.
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