Within this week, the league-leading Petron Blaze Spikers went through a couple of tough battles against the steady Shopinas.com Lady Clickers and the resilient Cignal HD Spikers.
In their match against the Lady Clickers last Monday night at the Cuneta Astrodome, the Blaze Spikers almost got their undefeated record stained after digging themselves into a 0-2 deficit. However, the odds then went their way as they completed a massive 3-2 comeback thanks to the superb efforts of Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Abigail Maraño and Rachel Anne Daquis.
In their exhausting five-setter against Shopinas, Manabat led all scorers with 23 points and 1 block, while Maraño followed up with 14 points and 2 blocks. In addition, Daquis also played well as she dropped 10 markers.
Going over to the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna to face the Cignal HD Spikers last Thursday, Petron once again followed the same routine from their previous game as they dropped the opening set and woke up just in time to preserve their stainless record.
The Manabat, Maraño and Daquis trio was once again in overdrive as they ended their win with a combined 45 points.
Yes, a win is a win no matter what the circumstances are. But is the habit of Petron starting the game on a tortoise-like pace be detrimental in the long-run? Or will it be a blessing in disguise?
“Mahirap din kasi ‘yung puro straight sets [ang panalo]. [Dahil doon sa hindi straight sets] natututo sila doon sa mga nangyayari na natatalo sila sa [ibang sets],” shared Petron head George Pascua when asked about his thoughts on his team’s habit of starting the game sluggishly. “Mahirap kasi kapag sa bandang huli na [ng game] lalabas ang laro nila kaya kahit paano na-overcome nila [ang slow start].”
With their previous two matches now a thing of the past, Petron must now set their sights, and hopefully abstain from their habit of starting slow, against their next opponent, the Mane ‘n Tail Lady Stallions this coming Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
In addition, if Petron wins their match this Saturday, they shall complete a first round sweep in the current PSL tournament.
“Mag-stick lang kami sa game plan namin [against Mane ‘n Tail], iyon na iyon,” Pascua remarked. “Kasi blended na [ang chemistry ng team]. Basta ang sabi ko sa mga bata, ang best thing na maibibigay niyo pag naglalaro kayo is to think na championship game lagi. [Isama na rin] nila ang desire at fighting spirit.”
