With Lindsay Stalzer finally making her debut, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers stayed perfect in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, staving off the United Volleyball Club, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-22, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Playing for her fourth team in six PSL seasons, the 34-year old Stalzer fueled F2 Logistics’ offense with 30 points from 25 attacks and five blocks. The Cargo Movers’ other import Becky Perry added 16 markers.
Three-time PSL champion head coach Ramil De Jesus admitted to Stalzer’s importance for the Cargo Movers.
“If she weren’t here, we would have probably lost 3-0,” said De Jesus.
“UVC is a really strong team that’s only beginning to get to know each other. Stalzer had only practiced with us twice before today, but she was already a great leader inside the court. We’re going to need more from her as the season progresses,” he added.
Three UVC players went for double-digits with Kalei Mau tallying 22 points, while opposite hitter Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani managed 18. Tai Manu-Olevao finished with 14.
Perry and Stalzer played pivotal roles in staving off UVC in the final set. F2 Logistics’ pair of American imports provided three of their last four points, with Perry serving an ace to shut down the match.
F2 Logistics’ precision shone in the third set. With UVC threatening to erase their lead, the Cargo Movers mustered a 3-0 burst from a combination of conversions from Stalzer and Baron, that opened a 23-19 gap. F2 Logistics setter Kim Fajardo shut the door on UVC, topping off a one-two play before finding an open Stalzer for a kill.
Both teams had their hard-hitting imports trade big blows in the second set. UVC’s Yaasmeem Bedart-Ghani propelled her squad from a 9-13 deficit to a 15-13 lead. Stalzer then countered with a run of her own, scoring thrice in a stretch that knotted the set at 20. F2 Logistics took over in the crucial moments, getting points from Stalzer and Baron, before UVC coughed up a net touch to cap the Cargo Movers’ set-clinching 3-0 run.
The first set also came down to the wire, as F2 Logistics climbed back from a two-point deficit and forced a 23-all tie thanks to a spike and block from Stalzer. The Cargo Movers’ momentum was immediately derailed following a Kim Fajardo service error and a Manu-Olevao off-the-block hit.
Both teams play their next matches on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. F2 Logistics (3-0) will take on the Foton Blue Energy (1-1), while UVC (2-2) face the Cignal HD Spikers (1-1).
The Scores
F2 Logistics (3) – Stalzer 30, Perry 16, Baron 8, Galang 8, Maraño 6, Fajardo 4, Cabanos 0, Morente 0, Macandili (L)
UVC (1) – Mau 22, Bedart-Ghani 18, Manu-Olevao 14, Angustia 5, Robins-Hardy 4, Palec 1, Tejada 1, Ahomiro 0, Tiu 0, Pineda (L)
