Not yet over: F2 shoots for equalizer vs Petron in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines – Petron may have dominated Game One, but for F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus, their Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix best-of-three finals series is still far from over.

De Jesus said they will prepare hard to go for the equalizer when they battle the Blaze Spikers in Game Two on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Cargo Movers are teetering on the brink of a disaster.

Nothing was going right for them in Game One with American imports Hillary Hurley and Lindsay Stalzer playing like a two-headed dragon to torch them with 31 of the Blaze Spikers’ 42 total attacks.

The Blaze Spikers also took advantage of their shaky reception with nine aces while thwarting their attacks with eight blocks.

Even worst, Dawn Macandili, the second best libero in Asia, was not in rhythm, finishing with only five digs as Petron challenged her defense from start to finish.

But de Jesus said the series is not yet over.

“We failed our first test, but we’ll make sure to prepare hard for Game Two,” said de Jesus, who guided the De La Salle University to 10 titles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos said the Cargo Movers have what it takes to reverse their fortune.

Delos Santos, the former Far Eastern University coach who had numerous unforgettable battles with de Jesus and the Lady Spikers, said F2 Logistics are known to come up with an emphatic rebound after every loss.

In fact, when they lost to Foton in the crucial stretch of the eliminations, the Cargo Movers responded by fashioning a lopsided win over Iriga City in the quarterfinals and another emphatic victory over Cocolife in the semifinals.

“F2 Logistics is a team that can bounce back right away,” said Delos Santos.

“We have to be prepared because this team is deadly when its back is against the wall. Coach Ramil (de Jesus) is good at making adjustments and motivating his players so we have to put our best foot forward.”

Delos Santos agreed that it’s still a long way to go.

“If we came up with a good performance in Game One, we have to work hard and double our effort if we want to win Game Two,” he said.

“We have to give our 100 percent from start to finish if we want to win the title. It’s still a long way to go.”