PLDT braces for uphill climb against F2 Logistics

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT Home Fibr coach Roger Gorayeb said it would take a strong heart to beat a formidable team like F2 Logistics in their semifinal showdown in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix 2019.

“We’re obviously the underdogs against them,” Gorayeb told The STAR, wary of the Cargo Movers, who placed second to the Petron Blaze Spikers (14-0) in the elims with an 11-3 win-loss card.

“To beat stronger teams in this league, you’ve got to play with a lot of heart, and that’s what we hope to do,” he added.

Gorayeb’s charges made it to the semis after scraping past a stubborn Generika-Ayala, 25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 25-27, 15-12, Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

F2, for its part, turned back Foton, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19, to advance.

The two teams start their best-of-three series on Tuesday with the winner advancing to the finals – another best-of-three affair – against the winner between Petron and Cignal.

F2 won its initial match with PLDT, 25-20, 25-21, 25-19, on March 9 before the latter got its revenge with a 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18 triumph.

Gorayeb said what they showed the last time is the kind of game they need to play to have a chance against F2.

“We gave ourselves a chance in that win because we followed our game plan and we didn’t let them intimidate us,” said Gorayeb. “Now if we can just do the same things that we did in that game and more, we’ll have a chance to surprise them again.”

PLDT is expected to rely anew on the power-hitting import duo of Grace Lazard and Kendra Dahlke, who came through with clutch hits to help their team survive Generika.

Dahlke exploded for 37 points including 33 on kills. And PLDT is likely to lean on her against F2 Logistics.

“We are blessed with talented and team-oriented imports. They’re our heart and soul,” said Gorayeb.