Making a splash in their first match of the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers knocked previously undefeated Petron Blaze Spikers 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-22 in the league’s special Spike on Tour leg at the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod Coliseum.
Battling humidity and and ruckus crowd, F2 Logistics displayed poise under fire, matching Petron’s vaunted offense. Venezuelan import Maria Jose Perez unloaded 18 points while American Kennedy Bryan and La Salle standout Kianna Dy added 14 markers apiece.
F2 Logistics head coacg Ramil De Jesus acknowledges that his team had a slight edge as Petron was not able to scout them. However, he also points out that they are rivals as his team recently lost in the All-Filipino Conference to Petron.
“Siguro factor nga na hindi pa nila kami nakikita maglaro,” said De Jesus.
“Pero alam naman nila kung paano kami maglaro, alam din namin kung paano kami maglaro. Kilala din nila imports namin so siguro hindi naman sobrang laki ng bentahe namin,” he added as Perez had played with Petron import Lindsay Stalzer in Indonesia and Hillary Hurley had played against Kennedy in other leagues.
Each set was close until the end. F2 Logistics showed their mental fortitude in the fourth set as Petron gave up silly errors that gave the Cargo Movers the decisive 22-19 lead. Perez then sealed the deal with an emphatic kill to end the heated game.
“Masaya kasi nanalo kami ng first game. Pero, ‘yun nga, first game pa lang. Marami pang kailangan ayusin. Wala pa talaga kami sa level na gusto namin. Importante talaga na makakuha kami ng jelling,” De Jesus said.
Former PSL MVP Dawn Macandili was also a force on defense, tallying 14 digs and 13 excellent receptions.
F2 Logistics (1-0) tries to keep their hor start going against the winless Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors (0-2) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Hurley provided 21 points to lead Petron. Team captain Ces Molina and Stalzer added 13 points apiece.
The Blaze Spikers (3-1) take on the UST Golden Tigresses (0-0) on Thursday also at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
F2 Logistics (3) – Perez 18, Bryan 14, Dy 14, Baron 7, Maraño 6, Fajardo 5, Cruz 3, Cheng 0, Santos 0, Macandili (L)
Petron (1) – Hurley 21, Molina 13, Stalzer 13, Meneses 8, Reyes 8, Dimaculangan 2, Hingpit 0, Pons 0, Pontillas 0, Rondina 0, Fukuda (L)
