Coming off their first loss of the season, the Petron Tri-Activ Spikers have regained their mojo with a decisive straight-set win over the streaking F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, 25-22, 25-19, 25-10, in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
After trailing 1-5 in the first set, the Tri-Activ Spikers seized control of the match. Thanks to Stephanie Niemer’s loaded jump serves, they bolted to a 17-11 lead in the opening set. Trailing 17-23, the Cargo Movers tried to rally back behind import Hayley Spelman, but Petron managed to stop the bleeding after a late timeout.
The second set went in Petron’s favor immediately, with Niemer’s second trip to the service lane as stretching a 14-13 lead to 19-14. After F2 crumbled in the second frame, they fell harder in the third set, surrendering their first loss in the past four matches.
Niemer tallied 21 points, which included nine of Petron’s 14 aces. The Tri-Activ Spikers also benefited from F2’s 26 errors.
“Talagang tense kami noong last game namin kaya hindi namin maexecute nang maayos ‘yung dapat naming magawa. Kaya ngayon sinabi ko lang na mag-relax sila and thankfully gumana naman,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
F2 imports Sydney Kemper and Hayley Spelman managed just eight and six points, respectively.
On Saturday, Petron (5-1) face RC Cola-Army (1-3), while F2 (3-3) tackle Cignal (1-3).
The Scores:
Petron (3) – Niemer 21, Warner 11, Pontillas 8, Molina 6, Nunag 2, Rosario 1, Aganon 0, Hingpit 0, Morada 0, Zapanta 0, Reyes (L)
F2 Logistics (0) – Kemper 8, Spelman 6, Galang 5, Fajardo 4, Baron 3, Dy 3, Reyes 2, Maraño 1, Cheng 0, Cruz Ch. 0, Cruz Ci. (L), Macandili (L)
