MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers battled back from two sets down to beat Foton Tornadoes, 22-25, 16-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-10 in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night at San Juan Arena.
Frances Molina top-scored with 20 points, on 15 attacks, four service aces and a block, while Cherry Rondina and Mary Remy Palma had 14 markers each for the Blaze Spikers (2-0).
Facing a two-set deficit, the Blaze Spikers opened the third set with an 8-3 lead, which grew to 16-8 edge to stay alive. In the fourth, Petron had the same start for a 23-17 edge before Mika Reyes came up with back-to-back hits to force a fifth set.
The Blaze Spikers opened the fifth set with an 8-4 lead before the Tornadoes rallied to within 9-10. Rondina then carried the fight for Petron with three points before Reyes and Molina ended the match with back-to-back hits.
“Sobrang proud ako sa team namin. Knowing them naman, kaya nila maglaro ng maayos at wake-up call sa amin ni Lord na hindi pwedeng maging complacent talaga,” said Blaze Spikers head coach Ceseal Delos Santos.
Jaja Santiago finished with 21 points off 18 attacks and three blocks, while elder sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat had 16 points for the Tornadoes, which slumped to its third straight loss in four games.
Meanwhile, Cignal HD Spikers bucked a slow start before taking down Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-27, 25-22, 25-10, 25-21, to kick off its campaign on a high note in the second game.
Mylene Paat had 14 points while skipper Rachel Anne Daquis delivered 13 points including 19 digs and Alohi Robins-Hardy putting up 18 excellent sets and unleashed 12 points from seven kills, three aces and two blocks for the 1-0 HD Spikers./PN
