Easy win over Sta Lucia puts Petron one step to sweep

MANILA, Philippines — Just one win away from completing a 14-0 sweep of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix elims following a 25-21, 25-12, 25-20 drubbing of Sta. Lucia, powerhouse Petron faces the challenge of staying focused on the job and not getting lulled to letting its guard down.

“We’re thankful for being given this opportunity  (sweep). It’s not easy to do and it takes a lot of hard work. But we’re really not after a sweep, we’re after the Grand Prix crown,” said Petron coach Shaq delos Santos after notching No. 13 Thursday.

Steph Niemer dished out 17 attacks, three blocks and three aces as the Blaze Spikers recorded the routine victory over the Lady Realtors (2-10) and moved on the verge of a perfect mark in the preliminaries. 

“The key is just to take every game like we’re 0 and 0. None of us think about being undefeated. Every game we treat as a new game, we kind of focus on the match and not think of anything else,” and Niemer, whose partnership with Kath Bell (13 points) has been the gold standard in the import-flavored conference.

The Blaze Spikers gun for 14th today in the 6 p.m. main game against United VC (6-6), a dangerous side in a must-win situation as it tries to gain a crack at the Top 4 and twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, second-running F2 Logistics (8-3) parades  former GP MVP MJ Perez as it takes on Foton (1-10), which debuts returning Pinay star Jaja Santiago, in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Coming as replacement for Becky Perry, Venezuelan ace Perez  re-teams with former Jakarta Elektrik colleague Lindsay Stalzer in trying to bring the Cargo Movers to the promised land.

“She’s definitely a great addition to the team. We’re glad to have her back,” said F2 coach Ramil de Jesus.

For her part, Santiago reunites with her pals after her stint as import in V. Premier League in Japan, hoping to help bring life to the Tornadoes, who are reeling from a 10-game slide.

“She already trained with us and she’s looking good. I hope her arrival will spark our campaign this conference,” said Foton team manager Dianne Santiago of her sister.