Petron cops Superliga crown in blazing finish

MANILA, Philippines — Petron displayed its finest form that produced a near conference-sweep, dismantling F2 Logistics, 25-22, 26-24, 25-23, to cop back-to-back Superliga All-Filipino Conference crowns at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last night.

Hampered by a Game Two loss that could have given them their second unbeaten title romp, the Blaze Spikers remained undaunted and crowned themselves champions in the culmination of the best-of-three series.

Petron won in straight sets in the best-of-three series opener, 25-23, 25-11, 25-17, last Saturday before stumbling in their first loss in the tourney in Game Two, 25-21, 19-25, 20-25, 17-25, which tarnished its 13-0 slate.

The championship also enabled the Blaze Spikers to edge their fierce rival in their five straight meetings in the title round, 3-2.

Petron held on in the homestretch of the first set, erased a set point to steal the second then thwarted the Cargo Movers’ repeated rallies in the third to complete the straight-set win.

Aiza Maizo-Pontillas fired 13 points with all but one coming off attacks and dished out seven excellent receptions, Bernadeth Pons came through with 11 points, Mika Reyes scored nine while Ces Molina also posted nine markers she laced with 22 digs for the Blaze Spikers.

Cha Behag and Ara Galang smashed 10 points apiece for F2 Logistics. Playmaker Kim Fajardo and Aby Maraño contributed six each.

The Cargo Movers trailed at 9-14 in the third and repeatedly tried to close the gap, but Pons, Maizo-Pontillas, Reyes and Molina combined in fending them off.

A crafty dump by Rhea Dimaculangan pushed Petron to match point, 24-22, but she netted her serve in the next to fan F2 Logistics’ hopes.

A costly two-touch violation by the Cargo Movers, however, gifted the trophy to the Blaze Spikers.