In a battle between two of the hottest teams in the league, F2 Logistics stopped Foton dead in their tracks on Thursday evening.
The Cargo Movers dispatched the Tornadoes Blue Energy in straight sets, 25-17, 25-12, 25-23, in the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
With the win, F2 Logistics zoomed to a 9-0 card. Moreover, the Cargo Movers quelled Foton’s six-game winning surge, but the latter still remain in third with a 7-4 standing.
“Maganda yung first two sets kasi parang hindi ready yung Foton. And then noong third set, medyo gamble na sila and nag-adjust sila ng rotation,” F2 Logistics head coach Ramil De Jesus said.
The Cargo Movers secured the first and second sets in a convincing manner. But the Tornadoes then rallied behind Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat-Santiago and played with renewed vigor.
Knotted at 21 in a back-and-forth third frame, Ara Galang roofed Shaya Adorador before unfurling an ace to put F2 Logistics a deuce away from the win. In the ensuing play, Adorador sliced the lead down to a solitary point, but Kalei Mau unloaded an off-the-block hit to propel her team to match point.
Jaja Santiago tried to keep Foton alive with a rejection of Majoy Baron. Unfortunately, her mishit in the succeeding sequence dashed all hopes of a comeback.
After a tightly-fought affair late in the game, De Jesus said that the match against the Santiago siblings and Foton was good preparation for potential wire-to-wire tussles in the latter stages of the competition.
“Magandang test yun para ‘pag dumating yung time na kapag close yung fight, makikita mo kung nara-rattle o kung paano mabubuo yung composure sa loob ng court. Maganda para sa side namin,” he said.
Kalei Mau carried the scoring cudgels yet again, tallying 15 points built on 12 attacks and two aces. Aby Maraño supplied 11 markers, eight from attacks.
Galang chipped nine points to go along with 12 excellent digs and six excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Kim Kianna Dy provided two of her team’s six blocks en route to eight markers.
Michelle Cobb tossed 17 excellent sets to churn out the offense for F2 Logistics, while Dawn Macandili protected the floor with 20 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Santiago, who finished with eight markers in their previous encounter, topped Foton with 11 points off nine attacks and two blocks. Her sister, Santiago-Manabat, was limited to just seven points.
F2 Logistics look to keep their slate unscathed when they face the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers on Saturday. On the other hand, Foton take on the Cignal HD Spikers on Thursday next week. Both games will be played at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
