Imposing their status as title favorites in the 2017 Chooks-to-Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, the Petron Blaze Spikers romped the lowly Iriga City Oragons, 25-12, 25-15, 25-22, in their penultimate elimination round match at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
Petron took full advantage of Iriga’s one-dimensional play, overwhelming the Oragons on all fronts. All Blaze Spikers saw time on the court, with imports Lindsay Stalzer and Hilary Hurley leading the way with 11 points apiece. Captain Ces Molina added nine markers.
The Oragons only kept close in the third frame, as Petron had benched three of their six starters.
“Siyempre, unang-una kung ano yung laro namin yun ang dapat ipakita namin,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos, who led the Blaze Spikers to this year’s All-Filipino title.
“Di naman pwedeng i-underestimate yung kalaban dahil lahat naman yan naghahanda and di rin natin masasabi yung mga possible na mangyari. Sabi ko nga sakanila, basta ibigay lang natin yung best natin at kung ano yung laro natin yun ang ipakita niyo,” he added.
Serbian Tamara Kmezic was once again the lone bright spot for Iriga with 15 points.
The Blaze Spikers (6-1) have secured a spot in the top four of the knockout quarterfinals. They take on the Cocolife Asset Managers (3-3) on November 30 at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Meanwhile, the Lady Oragons (2-5) face the undefeated F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (6-0) on November 30 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Scores
Petron (3) – Hurley 11, Stalzer 11, Molina 9, Dimaculangan 5, Meneses 4, Palma 4, Pontillas 3, Reyes 2, Rondina 2, Aganon 1, Hingpit 1, Pons 0, Tunay 0, Fukuda (L), Pineda (L)
Iriga City (0) – Kmezic 15, Miyagawa 6, Lana 4, Sta. Rita 4, Levina 3, Cabriana 1, Yoshioka (L)
