With their 2017 Grand Prix meltdown still fresh on their minds, Lindsay Stalzer and the Petron Blaze Spikers went all-out during their 2018 curtain-raiser, slamming the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors in four sets, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, Saturday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Gusto naming simulan yung season namin ng tama,” said Petron head coach Shaq delos Santos. “Ito yung laro na ine-expect ko na lalaruin nila buong conference.”
Stalzer picked up where she left off, erupting for 22 kills, six aces and two blocks for 30 points. Hillary Hurley had 18 markers for the Blaze Spikers, who are eager to avenge their sorry finals meltdown to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers last season.
Behind the two imports, Petron raced to a 22-15 lead in the fourth set. MJ Phillips and the Lady Realtors were able to cut the lead to just four, but Petron were already at match point. Hurley put the finishing touch to the game.
Ukrainian Bohdana Anisova provided the spark with 18 points, while Phillips chipped in 16 markers for the Lady Realtors.
Petron will next face the Cignal HD Spikers on Saturday, February 24, at the Sta. Rosa Sports Center. Sta. Lucia, on the other hand, will head to the Bacoor Sports Center on Tuesday, February 20, to take on the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers.
The Scores:
Petron 3 – Stalzer 30, Hurley 18, Maizo-Pontillas 6, Reyes 4, Dimaculangan 3, Palma 2, Molina 1, Tunay 0, Fukuda (L)
Sta. Lucia 1 – Bohdana 18, Phillips 16, Lastimosa 7, Field 7, Rivera 3, Laborte 3, Sabete 2, De Leon 1, Rasilan 0, Monicks (L).
