After giving up a 2-0 set lead, the Petron Tri-Activ Spikers appeared to have regained control of Game One of the 2016 PSL Grand Prix Finals, leading the fifth set 8-3.
But Foton rallied back, hacking away at the lead. With Petron’s advantage down to two, 8-6, Ces Molina slammed a hit over two blockers that slipped outside. Petron called for a review that clearly revealed Molina’s attack had grazed the finger of a Foton blocker.
The challenge, however, was called unsuccessful, much to the chagrin of the Petron coaching staff.
“Sobrang laking bagay noon kasi momentum. Kung sa amin ‘yung point sana, 9-6 lamang namin,” lamented assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad.
Petron lost the set, 9-15, and the match. But the Tri-Activ Spikers aren’t letting the infraction slip.
Just one day away from Game Two, Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos confirmed that they have immediately filed a complaint.
“Yung score dun that time, 8-6, so kung naging favor magiging 9-6 siya ang laki ng difference unlike nung 8-7. Hindi naman natin masasabi talaga pero siyempre para samin ang laking, ano eh, kasi nag-start doon yung pag-collapse.
“Nawala yung laro namin at focus so kaya nag-complain din kami talaga sa taas. Yun ang pinaka importante samin,” said Delos Santos. “Tingin ko check ball talaga pero kasi kahit ano namang sabihin namin and na-prove namin check ball siya. Meron kaming complain letter na pinasa hopefully in God’s will magkaroon ng magandang result.”
Whatever happens, the first-year Petron mentor has assured everyone that his team will be ready for Game Two on Saturday.
“Basta laro lang ulit kami ng best namin ‘yun lang naman lagi tas kailangan ma-enjoy namin ginagawa namin. Skills wala na kailangan baguhin anjan na yan eh di na natin pwede baguhin kung ano yan kasi one day rest,” he stressed.
“Kailangan lang maging consistent lang lahat ng gagawin namin especially depensa namin kasi syempre yung attack nila alam naman naing maalaki sila pero kaya namin yan.”
