Petron displays depth in dominant debut against Generika-Ayala

Gunning for their third champiomship in 2017, the Petron Blaze Spikers overwhelmed the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, 25-13, 25-17, 25-19, to start their 2017 Chooks-to-Go PSL Grand Prix campaign at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Petron, who have won this year’s All-Filipino Cup and Beach Volleyball Cup, had the luxury of playing nearly everyone in their lineup at different points of the match. Generika-Ayala, on the other hand, became increasingly frustrated with every Petron run.

The Lifesavers’ struggles were encapsulated in the match’s last two points, as their hard-hitting Croatian import Katarina Pilepic was blocked twice by Petron’s local stalwarts Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Mika Reyes.

Petron’s internationally-seasoned imports carried their offensive load, with Hillary Hurley powering in 18 points on 15-for-29 attacking and return-import Lindsay Stalzer adding 14 markers.

“Siguro pinakita lang talaga namin ‘yung chemistry namin. Sinasabi lang namin sa kanila to just enjoy the game and ganoon lang din naman sa practice,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

“Hindi pa kami totally satisfied sa jelling namin. May mga kailangan pa kami i-work out talaga lalo na sa depensa namin. Pero meron na kami noong mindset na hinahanap namin,” Delos Santos added.

Pilepic finished with 14 points, while Generika’s other import Darlene Ramdin — who arrived just last night — managed nine points.

The Blaze Spikers look to continue their solid start when they face the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors (0-0) on Thursday, 4 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre. The Lifesavers, meanwhile, face the Cocolife Asset Managers (0-0) on Tuesday at the same venue.

The Scores

Petron (3) – Hurley 18, Stalzer 14, Reyes 6, Meneses 5, Molina 4, Palma 4, Pontillas 2, Hingpit 1, Rondina 1, Fukuda (L), Pineda (L)

Generika-Ayala (0) – Pilepic 14, Ramdin 9, Casugod 5, Araneta 4, Ceballos 4, Cerveza 1, Legacion 1, Masangkay 1, Cortez 0, Snuka 0, Arado (L)