Blaze Spikers keep hot run, nail top spot

MANILA, Philippines — Petron gave another first hand demonstration of its killer instinct as it swept Generika-Ayala, 25-23, 25-13, 25-21, yesterday to extend its amazing streak to 12 in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Stephanie Niemer led the carnage with 19 points while Mika Reyes and Kath Bell fired 14 and 12 hits, respectively, as the Blaze Spikers  inched closer to a sweet sweep in the elims.

In the second game, Cignal turned back PLDT, 25-16, 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, to climb  into a share of third with its recent victim on identical 7-6 (win-loss) records.

With win No. 12, Petron is assured of the top seeding in the quarterfinals regardless of the results of its last two outings.

In a unique format, all eight teams will qualify for the quarterfinals with the No. 1 seed playing opposite No. 8, No. 2 vs  No. 7, No. 3 vs No. 6, and No. 4 vs No. 5.  The winners advance to the best-of-three semis.

The top four seeds will enjoy a crucial twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

Except for some lapses, Petron was generally in full control of the match largely behind the efforts of Niemer, Bell and Reyes.

It was another dominant game for Petron, which also extended to 11 its straight-set victories. It has conceded just a set – to F2 – in its smashing showing in the tourney.

Petron eyes win No. 13 against Sta. Lucia (2-9) tomorrow before taking on United Volleyball Club in its last elims game on March 30.

The Lifesavers slipped to their eighth defeat against four triumphs.

Up two sets to none and leading by a mile, 17-7, in the third set, the Blaze Spikers went into a tailspin and almost lost the lead as the Lifesavers fought their way back to slice their deficit down to a hairline, 21-20.

But Petron regrouped in time to fend off Generika.

“It’s good for the team that things like that happen in the game because we want to learn from every game that we play,” said Petron coach Shaq delos Santos.