The race for the crown intensifies as the last remaining four teams – the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, Petron Blaze Spikers, Foton Tornadoes, and Cocolife Asset Managers – collide in the sudden-death semifinals of the Chooks-to-Go/Philippine Superliga Grand Prix on Saturday, December 9, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Heavyweights Cargo Movers will shoot for a slot in the finals when they battle the dangerous Asset Managers in the first game at 4 pm, while the Blaze Spikers and Tornadoes renew their rivalry in the 6 pm encounter.
After winning seven of their eight games to top the elimination round, followed by an easy victory over the Iriga City Oragons in the quarterfinals, F2 Logistics are tipped to be receive a tough challenge from Cocolife, who are still fresh from a 25-23, 25-23, 25-20 conquest of the Cignal HD Spikers in the quarters.
In that match, American imports Tai Manu-Olevao and Taylor Milton were on fire at the attack zone, while veterans Tina Salak, Mary Jean Balse, Joanne Bunag and Michele Gumabao asserted their dominance in the crucial stretch, to tow the Asset Managers to their first semifinal appearance.
Cocolife coach Kungfu Reyes lauded his players for a job well done, but stressed that they will go full blast against the Cargo Movers to formalize their entry in the best-of-three finals showdown, which will begin on Tuesday, December 12.
“Making it to the semifinals is a big achievement to our team,” said Reyes, noting the progress of his team after finishing seventh in the Invitational Conference and fifth in the All-Filipino Conference.
“But we will not settle for fourth. Since we’re already here, we might as well do everything to make it to the finals. F2 Logistics is a very talented and disciplined team. We have to work hard to defeat them,” the ranked Army official added.
But all eyes will definitely be on the titanic battle between Petron and Foton.
After figuring in the finals the past couple of years, the Blaze Spikers and the Tornadoes will have an early collision after finishing the eliminations in second and third place, respectively.
In their first encounter this year, Petron were able to shut down the high-flying Sara Klisura, Dragana Perunicnic, Jaja Santiago, Maika Ortiz and other attackers to deal Foton their first and only loss of the eliminations, 25-21, 25-22, 12-25, 25-20.
Still, Foton head coach Moro Branislav likes their semifinal match-up against Petron, who will parade their former import Lindsay Stalzer together with Hillary Hurley of United States and Yuri Fukuda of Japan, as well as Frances Molina, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes and Rhea Dimaculangan.
“Foton likes playing against Petron,” said the Serbian guru following their 21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17 quarterfinal victory over the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors on Thursday.
“This is going to be a very interesting battle. Unlike in the finals that we have three games, in the semifinals, it’s just one match and you’re out,” added Branislav, who steered Foton to the 2016 Grand Prix tiara.
“So we have to give our best against Petron if we want to defend our title”
Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos vowed that their semifinal battle against Foton would be more intense and more dramatic than their two previous finals clashes.
“We know that Petron and Foton have a rivalry,” said Delos Santos, adding that Foton’s mastery over them for the past two years will serve as motivation to fire up his wards. “But as I’ve said, we’re already in the semifinals. Unlike in the finals, we’re in a situation where we can’t afford to lose. We don’t have the luxury to adjust because one loss and we’re out.
“We have no choice but to play our hearts out.”
