F2 seeks redemption in finals showdown vs Petron

MANILA, Philippines – For F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus, their finals duel with Petron is a golden opportunity to redeem themselves from their previous blunder.

The Cargo Movers will march to Game One of their Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference against the Blaze Spikers on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre with a lot to prove after losing the Grand Prix title in a heart-breaking fashion early this year.

De Jesus said that setback taught them well.

With the noted guru busy guiding De La Salle University to another UAAP crown, the Cargo Movers were swept by the Blaze Spikers in a pair of thrilling matches that prompted them to troop back to the drawing board to figure out what went wrong.

Power-hitting Venezuelan Maria Jose Perez, Kennedy Bryan and Minami Yoshioka bannered the Cargo Movers, but they lost the services of Kianna Dy, Dawn Macandili and Desiree Cheng to the Lady Spikers.

Majoy Baron, the former UAAP Most Valuable Player, was also not around and only managed to show up in the pivotal Game Two.

And now that they are in the finals anew, de Jesus wants nothing but the best out of his wards.

“The team had its shortcomings in the last Grand Prix,” said de Jesus, who acted as consultant to head coach Arnold Laniog last conference.

“If they will not give their full effort and play well, we will get the same result like we had in the Grand Prix. If they are thirsty for this title, the players have to show it inside the court.”

On the other hand, Petron has its own issues as well.

Open spiker Frances Molina will be walking wounded after sustaining a stress fracture on her shin.

Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos it is a recurring injury, which the hardworking spiker sustained while still playing for San Beda College in the NCAA.

Still, she will play through the pain and is tipped to give everything he has just to lead the Blaze Spikers to its goal of winning the title in all three conferences this year, including the Beach Volleyball competition.

“Ces (Molina) is hurt, but she’s ready to go,” said Delos Santos, lauding the fighting spirit of his prized ward.

“She’s a fighter. She knows that this is already the finals where you have to go out and give everything you’ve got. I’m sure she will still give her best in this series before sitting out to get some rest and have her injury treated.”

Delos Santos said whoever has the hunger, the determination and the will to succeed will definitely run away with the crown.

 “It all boils down to the heart of the players because both teams are good skill-wise and the coaches have their respective game plans,” he said.

“It’s definitely a great match-up.”