Defending champions Petron Blaze Spikers leaned on their dynamic pair of imports and quickly dealt with the PLDT Home Fibr Fast Hitters, 25-19, 25-9, 25-10, to open their 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix campaign, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Aside from absorbing a 5-11 gap in the first set, Petron cruised through the match. PLDT had no answer for Petron’s returning imports in Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer. The Blaze Spikers surged to a 19-18 lead in the first set and proceeded to pummel PLDT in the following frames.
Bell tallied 15 points, while Niemer added 14. The Blaze Spikers were deadly efficient, surrendering just 14 errors.
Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos emphasized his team’s need to continue developing chemistry, despite their wealth in firepower.
“Ang maganda kasi sa mga import namin very responsive sila sa mga gusto naming gawin,” said Delos Santos. “Alam naman natin na magaling sila, pero willing sila mag-adjust sa mga kailangan ng team. Siyempre, it takes time pa rin para makakuha kami ng tamang chemsitry.”
Grace Lazard was the only PLDT player in double-digits with 14 markers.
Petron (1-0) next face the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers (0-1) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. PLDT (1-0) will try to recover against the Cignal HD Spikers (0-0) also on Thursday.
The Scores
Petron (3) – Bell 15, Niemer 14, Reyes 7, Palma 6, Pontillas 6, Dimaculangan 1, Molina 1, Tunay 1, Cortez 0, Esguerra 0, Pons 0, Gaiser (L), Lazaro (L)
PLDT (0) – Lazard 14, Dahlke 4, Alvarez 3, Urdas 2, Latigay 1, Devanadera 0, Guillema 0, Sta. Rita 0, Eroa (L), Pantone (L)
