Petron mounts spirited rally to get back at F2

MANILA, Philippines — The Petron Blaze Spikers reminded everyone they’re the two-time champs for a reason.

With that status in question all tournament long, the Blaze Spikers made a comeback for the ages, dealing fierce rival and previously unbeaten F2 Logistics its first defeat in a thrilling 26-28, 27-29, 25-19, 25-20, 15-6 decision in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

After losing the first two sets by razor-thin margins, the Blaze Spikers would not be denied from there on, methodically decimating the Cargo Movers highlighted by a convincing 15-6 fifth set victory that even started from a 10-0 score.

Sisi Rondina, the UAAP MVP from UST, showed the way for Petron, unleashing 22 points on 21 kills while team captain Ces Molina (20), Bernadeth Pons (16) and Mika Reyes (10) added key support.

Rhea Dimaculangan facilitated Petron’s offense with 32 excellent sets while Denden Lazaro held the fort on floor defense with 29 digs and 19 excellent receptions.

“It’s just the heart of the girls. We’re down in the first two sets but only by a close margin so we just took it set by set,” said coach Shaq delos Santos as Petron extended its hot streak to 10 games to grab the lead with a 12-1 card in this double-round prelims.

More than the league leadership though, the Blaze Spikers regained their championship stature by this sweet revenge win over the Cargo Movers who have proven their pedigree as the biggest threat to the reigning champions’ three-peat bid.

Petron, last June 27, suffered a tough 21-25, 25-17, 25-27, 19-25 loss to F2 Logistics and had since stayed under the shadows of the Cargo Movers.

Delos Santos admitted to get back was a big motivating factor in this epic win.

“That’s a huge factor, that’s an added motivation for us,” said Delos Santos. “Moreover, it also helped that we’re complete now after missing Rondina and Lazaro in the first round. We’re more prepared.”

Living up to its lofty billing as a championship preview, the match saw Petron and F2 Logistics engage in long rallies.

Both sides put on a show in the first two frames that went the distance.

Hell bent on getting back at the Cargo Movers, the Blaze Spikers built what seemed to be a comfortable 18-11 lead in the opening set.

But F2 swung back, launching a searing 17-8 closeout highlighted by a Kalei Mau kill to snatch the thrilling first set, 28-26.

The Cargo Movers rode on that momentum as they took another close second set, 29-27 for a commanding 2-0 lead which was eventually erased by the reigning champions.

F2 Logistics absorbed its first loss in 12 matches despite the consistent play of Mau (25 points), Majoy Baron (15) and Ara Galang (14).