Blaze Spikers, Cargo Movers set title duel

MANILA, Philippines — Petron and F2 Logistics get to rekindle their famed rivalry following victories over their respective Final Four opponents yesterday in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.

The undefeated Blaze Spikers hardly broke a sweat against Foton, 25-17, 25-14, 25-16 while the streaking Cargo Movers bucked a slow start to dispatch Cignal, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21.

Riding high on six straight wins in group play, the Blaze Spikers took care of business in just 71 minutes behind the continued strong play of MVP candidate Sisi Rondina, and arranged a finals rematch with the Cargo Movers tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The hard-hitting Rondina, who is averaging 17.3 points this conference, hammered 17 points on 15 attacks that she laced with 13 digs.

Captain Ces Molina added 12 markers with two blocks, Chloe Cortez had 10 points on nine hits and a block while Rem Palma and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas chipped in six and five, respectively.

“It’s a good feeling to be back in the finals. It’s not easy to be back here so we will make the most out of this opportunity,” said coach Shaq delos Santos.

The Blaze Spikers failed to defend their All-Filipino this year owing to  a bitter semis collapse against Cignal.

Kalei Mau proved her MVP caliber despite coming off an ankle injury after unleashing 23 points on 21 kills, a block and an ace along with 24 digs to lead the way for the Cargo Movers, who are eyeing a quick follow-up to their All-Filipino conquest.

Majoy Baron (12) and Kim Dy (11) backstopped Mau in scoring while Dawn Macandili added 23 digs and Kim Fajardo dished out 16 sets for F2, seeking to defend the Invitational title after sweeping Petron last year.

“My teammates are really pulling the load off me to which I’m thankful for. I gotta do my job. I’m here for a reason. For me, this is my first full, real match so I’m just really thankful for my teammates,” said the Fil-Am sensation, who did not play in F2’s first four matches.

Up against a familiar HD Spikers squad, which they overpowered in the All-Filipino finals, the Cargo Movers were stunned with a 21-25 first-set defeat.

But F2 found its touch right away behind Mau’s brilliance to win the next three sets and forge an anticipated rematch against Petron.