The Petron Blaze Spikers received a rude welcome in their AVC Women’s Club Championship, falling to the 4.25 Sports Club from North Korea 13-25, 18-25, 11-25, at the Ha Nam Gym in Vietnam.
Managing errors and steadying their floor defense were Petron’s biggest hurdles in the match. The reigning PSL Grand Prix champs surrendered 19 errors while their service reception problem was apparent in the 18-44 spiking disparity the North Koreans forged. Since Petron was unable to net good receptions, their offense was severely shut down and mostly managed to send free balls to the 4.25’s side.
Towering open hitter, Jin Sim Jong towed the North Koreans to victory with a game-high 20 markers. She was the only player in double-digits.
Petron import Inck Rupia and former PSL MVP, Dindin Santiago-Manabat each contributed seven points while middle.blocker Aby Maraño and PSL AFC MVP Rachel Daquis each managed four points. Libero, Jen Reyes turned in gaudy numbers with 18 excellent receptions and 15 excellent digs.
The Blaze Spikers take tomorrow off and get back on action on Monday against the Iranians, Azad University. Petron head coach, George Pascua said that he will use the time to make the necessary adjustments especially with his new import, Rupia.
“It was Rupia’s first game with us so this flat performance is pretty understandable,” said Petron coach George Pascua, who drew an impressive 53-set performance from reinforcement Erica Adachi.
The Scores:
4.25 Sports Club (3) – Jong 20, Ju 8, Kim Y. 8, Kang 8, Ri R. 4, Ri S. 2, Kim U. 2, Min 1, Pak 1, Rim 1, Jong (L), Ro (L)
Petron (0) – Manabat 7, Rupia 7, Daquis 4, Maraño 4, Adachi 2, Molina 2, Morada 1, Cayetano 0, Masangkay 0, Reyes (L)
