Petron clinches top seed, drubs Foton

Defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers claimed the first seed in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference after exerting their mastery over the Foton Tornadoes Blue Energy, 25-10, 20-25, 25-16, 25-8, at the Bacoor Strike Gym.

The Blaze Spikers rolled to their ninth straight win, keeping their record unblemished and ensuring a match-up with the bottom seed in the knockout quarterfinals.

Despite his team’s perfect run so far, Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos emphasized that their goal of winning a championship is still a long ways ahead.

“Thankful kami sa panalo kasi sobrang pinaghandaan din talaga namin ‘yung Foton. Pero siyempre, kailangan namin mag-prepare pa, lalo kasi hindi naman matatapos dito ‘yung tournament,” said Delos Santos.

“May isang laban pa kami sa round two. Then, may laban pa kami sa quarters. So doon muna kami magfo-focus ulit,” he added.

Against the Tornadoes, Petron were efficient. Aside from an error-filled second set hiccup, the Blaze Spikers dominated each frame and even had the luxury of trying different lineups in each.

Each Blaze Spiker that saw the court scored a point, led by Bernadeth Pons’ 16-point output. Middle blocker Mika Reyes was consistent, tallying 13 markers.

La Rainne Fabay led the depleted Tornadoes with eight points while Maika Ortiz and Mina Aganon each managed six markers.

Petron (9-0) wrap up the preliminary rounds against the Smart Giga Hitters (3-5) on Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex. Foton (5-3) also face Smart on Thursday at the Bacoor Strike Gym.

The Scores

Petron (3) – Pons 16, Reyes 13, Palma 12, Molina 10, Rondina 10, Pontillas 9, Dimaculangan 3, Tunay 2, Cortez 1, Legacion 1, Pabayo 1, Duremdes (L), Gaiser (L)

Foton (1) – Fabay 8, Aganon 6, Casugod 6, Ortiz 6, Perez 3, Rosario 3, Sandoval 3, Sy 1, Yongco 1, Reyes (L)