F2 Logistics ends Sta. Lucia’s title hopes

Coming off their first loss of the tournament, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers strutted to the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Cup semifinals after handling the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors in four sets, 25-16, 20-25, 25-17, 25-15, at the Imus Sports Center.

The Cargo Movers consistently dislodged the Lady Realtors’ service reception. Sta. Lucia only got their bearings in the second set, zooming out of a 20-all deadlock with a 5-0 run after F2 Logistics struggled offensively.

On all other points of the match, F2 Logistics comfortably held leads and fended off Sta. Lucia runs. The 2017 Grand Prix champions amassed a 17-10 lead in the third set before putting the match away for good in the fourth frame with a 20-11 blitz.

The Cargo Movers finished with a 16-6 service ace advantage and an 8-3 gap in block kills.

Despite the win, F2 Logistics head coach still harped on his players, knowing that the pressure escalates the deeper they get into the tournament.

“Napansin kasi namain na ‘yung ibang atake ng kalaban, nagiging puntos na lang din namin dahil sa error. So kailangan pa talaga naman maghanda nang maigi,” said De Jesus.

Kianna Dy quadrupled her four-point output against Petron, leading the Cargo Movers with 16 points, while Cha Cruz-Behag added 12.

MJ Phillips topped the Lady Realtors with 15 points. Souzan Raslan added 13.

F2 Logistics will move on and face the Cignal HD Spikers on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia can still contend for fifth place. They await the loser of the Generika-Ayala-Smart Prepaid tiff.

The Scores

F2 Logistics (3) – Dy 16, Behad 12, Baron 11, Maraño 11, Galang 8, Tiamzon 4, Morente 3, Ogunsanya 3, Cobb 2, Cheng 1, Fajardo 1, Ipac 1, Gallenero (L), Macandili (L)

Sta. Lucia (1) – Phillips 15, Raslan 13, Laborte 7, Lastimosa 4, Sabte 4, Hernandez 3, Rivera 3, Baliton 2, De Leon 1, Villareal 0, Demontaño (L), Estoquia (L)