The veteran-laden Petron Tri-activ Spikers taught the upstart New San Jose Builders Victorias a lesson or two in Batangas City.
Through the excellent setting of Mary Grace Masangkay, Petron soundly defeated the young New San Jose squad in three sets, 25-20, 25-15, 25-8 to win their third straight game in the 2016 PSL Invitational Tournament.
The first set was close in the early-goings. Via Maribeth Lara, the Victorias were able to keep close with the Tri-activ Spikers. With the score knotted at 12-all, NSJB was able to gain a 16-13 lead behind Jamela Suyat and Lourdes Clemente. However, the missing floor defense of Petron came back to life after a timeout. It was all Petron the rest of the way, as Maica Morada powered her way through the opposing defense, while Mina Aganon and CJ Rosario provided the finishing touches for the set win.
“Mga bata pa yan aggressive yang mga yan. Hindi puwedeng mag-relax,” Petron head coach George Pascua said about the Perpetual Help Lady Altas-laden squad. “Kung nakuha nila yung first set na yun sa amin, mag-iiba yung laro.”
Again the beginning of the second set was close, as Petron only held a 10-9 lead in the early-goings. Masangkay made excellent strides to find her spikers. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Morada converted on emphatic spikes to give Petron an 18-10 lead. NSJ could only score on errors the rest of the way to give a dominant 25-16 set two win for Petron.
Losing their confidence in the first two sets, the NSJ defense gave way in the third and final set of the game. Pontillas continued to power her way through the defense to give Petron an 8-3 lead. Consecutive service aces by Mayette Zapanta and errors by their young opponents extended the lead to a game-high 16 points, 21-5. Three more service errors later on, including the game-winning error by Coleen Bravo, and an emphatic spike by Ces Molina led to a 25-8 win.
“Na-intimidate lang talaga sila nung third set. Kung gugustuhin nila kakayanin nila yan,” Pascua shared about the Victorias. “Yun nga lang yung mga batang player, kapag pinabayaan mo yan sa very first set, lalaban sila.”
However, regarding his team, Pascua said that the team is just showing 85% of what they are truly capable of. “Sa ngayon hindi pa (100%). 85% pa lang kami kasi wala pa si (Ces) Molina,” he closed.
Pontillas scored a game-high 12 points. Mina Aganon and Maica Morada scored nine and eight points respectively. Setter Mary Grace Masangkay also provided 18 excellent sets for her team.
The Petron Tri-Activ Spikers (3-0) will next face the Cignal HD Spikers on Tuesday, March 15 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. On the other hand, the New San Jose Builders Victorias will end the tournament with a 0-6 slate but with a wealth of experience.
The Scores:
Petron (3) – Pontillas 12, Aganon 9, Morada 8, Nunag 5, Pineda 5, Masangkay 3, Zapanta 3, Rosario 2, Yongco 1, Molina 1, Legacion 0, Reyes (L), Del Mundo (L)
New San Jose Builders (0) – Lara 6, Suyat 4, Clemente 4, Cabriana 3, Bravo 3, Imbo 2, Verzosa 2, Gual 0, Yumul 0, Medalla 0, Umandal 0, Rosal 0, Gayo (L)
