There was no stopping the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers from rolling to their sixth straight win
The defending champs became the first team to qualify for the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference semifinals, thumping the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, 25-14, 25-19, 25-17, Thursday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Cargo Movers drew first blood with a rousing, first-set effort. Immediately taking a 6-2 lead, F2 Logistics received a major boost from opposite hitter Kianna Dy. The De La Salle University Lady Spiker’s serve boosted the Cargo Movers to a commanding 17-6 lead. Veteran open hitter Ara Galang then put the finishing touches on the first frame, scoring eight of the Cargo Movers’ last eight points.
A 6-15 gap greeted the slacking Cargo Movers in the second set. According to F2 Logistics head coach Ramil De Jesus, the early deficit was a result of lack of sense of urgency.
“Siguro nag-relax lang noong unang part ng second set. Tendency na ng players ‘yun especially kapag maganda ang panalo noong lumipas na set. Nagawan naman ng paraan, nakita ko namang tiniyaga ng mga bata ‘yung paghabol,” said the 10-time UAAP champion coach.
Following a timeout, the Cargo Movers sprung back to form. With setter Kim Fajardo calling quick plays, F2 Logistics immediately erased the Generika lead and clung to a 17-15 lead. Galang again led F2 Logistics’ close-out effort, scoring off three hits and leading the Cargo Movers to another set win.
By the third set, Generika-Ayala had ran out of adjustments and zeal. F2 Logistics blitzed their foes, grabbing a 15-7 lead and never looking back.
“Nakita ko ‘yung kagustuhan pa ‘rin manalo. Very important na maipakita namin ngayon ‘yun kasi puro elimination games na ang mga laban namin,” added De Jesus.
Former UAAP MVP Ara Galang paced the Cargo Movers’ balanced attack with 12 points, while National Team pool member Kianna Dy added 10.
Geneveve Casugod was the lone bright spot for Generika-Ayala with 11 points. The Lifesavers gave up a season-high 10.2 errors per set.
F2 Logistics will face the winner of the Cignal-Cocolife tiff in a single-game elimination semifinals.
The Scores
F2 Logistics (3) – Galang 12, Dy 10, Fajardo 7, Baron 5, Marano 5, Cheng 4, Nunag 0, Gallanero 0, Cruz 0, Santos 0, Ogunsanya 0, Tiamzon 0, Saga (L), Macandili (L).
Generika-Ayala (0) – Casugod 11, Araneta 6, Cortez 6, Ceballos 4, Adorador 1, Orendain 1, Masangkay 1, Cerveza 0, Pepito 0, Lopez 0, Legacion 0, Buitre 0, Arado (L), General (L).