F2 Logistics wallops Petron, clinches Super Liga crown

MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics fumbled against Petron’s fearsome import Hillary Hurley in the third set but came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth as it blasted the Blaze Spikers, 25-20, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18 to complete a series comeback and capture the Chooks-to-Go Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix crown at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay yesterday.

The Cargo Movers combined in a pivotal 7-1 fourth set run to go 7-up, 18-11, then thwarted a stubborn comeback by Petron with a fiery windup to seize their first import-laden conference crown.

“We all know that Petron is a tough team. Almost all of the talented players are in their roster. Maybe my players wanted the victory more,”said F2 Logistics coach Ramil De Jesus.

“In Game Two, we were down 0-9 in the fourth set. Who would have thought we would be able to recover from that? And we were even down by two sets,” he added.

F2 Logistics thus sustained the momentum of its 25-20, 24-26, 14-25, 25-19, 15-4 Game Two victory to become the first team to complete a turnaround from a 0-1 series deficit since the league implemented a best-of-three finals format two years ago.

The Cargo Movers were beaten black and blue by Petron in the opener, 14-25, 21-25, 16-25.

The title victory also allowed F2 Logistics to avenge its finals heartbreak loss to Petron last conference where the Cargo Movers relinquished their All-Filipino plum.

“Being dethroned in the All-Filipino last conference was a motivation because we were really targeting to win this Grand Prix. Not all teams will be given this chance so I told them to give their all, ” said De Jesus.

Eventual season MVP Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela, Kim Fajardo, American Kennedy Bryan, Cha Cruz and Majoy Baron formed a cohesive unit that shoved the Cargo Movers ahead, 18-11, in the fourth set.

Hurley, who anchored a 7-2 closing flurry for the Blaze Spikers in the third set, rallied Petron anew to close within 17-20.

But Perez, Cruz and Fajardo assured the Cargo Movers’ strong finish this time around as F2 Logistics put up a 5-1 blitz to seal the victory.

A service error by Cruz fanned the hopes of Petron, 18-23, but Fajardo scored on a dump and Perez swung a hit to clinch it for the Cargo Movers.

On the verge of wrapping it up, F2 Logistics struggled in the homestretch of the third set where they managed only two points, one off an error, against Petron’s seven led by Hurley.

Hurley rifled in six of Petron’s last 10 points in the set, including three in their 7-2 closing windup. 

Ces Molina quickly countered to seal the frame for the Blaze Spikers after Cruz saved the set point.

Perez, mourning the loss of her older brother who died of cancer Friday, smashed in 24 points, all in attacks.

Skipper Cruz, who delivered clutch hits for F2 Logistics in Game Two, fired 13 hits and three aces for 16 markers she spiked with 12 excellent receptions and eight digs while Baron and Bryan wound up with 12 markers apiece for the Cargo Movers.