FOR PETRON Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, which are in their fifth consecutive finals appearances, hunger and desire will be the major factors in determining the queen of Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference.
Cargo Movers’ head coach Ramil de Jesus knew their chances of regaining the crown depend on the willingness of his players to capture their third PSL title in the past five conferences.
Cargo Movers were then the queens of the All-Filipino Conference until they were unseated by the Blaze Spikers bannered by Mika Reyes, Remy Palma, Cherry Rondina, and Bernadeth Pons.
“Just like before, winning in the finals all depends on their willingness and desire,” said de Jesus. “Hopefully, they would want it more. They worked hard to get into the finals. They should do everything to finish the job.”
“Having a deep rotation has been the major advantage of Petron,” he added. “At this point, I have very limited personnel. But inside the court, both of us will have only six players. So it really depends on how willing and how hungry we are to win the crown.”
Blaze Spikers mentor Ceseal Delos Santos, for his part, said the pressure is on their side after banging 12 consecutive wins to move two wins shy of sweeping the conference.
“Of course, the pressure is there,” said Delos Santos. “But I’m telling the team that this is already the championship. Whatever happened before doesn’t matter anymore. We should go into the series with a fresh mindset with our eyes set on our goal.”
“This finals series is a different story. It all boils down to who will play with a bigger heart,” he added. “Coach Ramil is a brilliant strategist who could easily really his team to plot a furious fightback.”
Aside from the already mentioned above, other Blaze Spikers members are Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ging Balse-Pabayo and Rhea Dimaculangan as well as attackers Frances Molina, and Chloe Cortez.
The Cargo Movers, on the other hand, are to be bannered by former De La Salle University Lady Spikers standouts Kim Fajardo, Kianna Dy, Aby Marano, Majoy Baron and Cha Cruz.
The best-of-three championship series between the Blaze Spikers and Cargo Movers will start this Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Game 2 will be on Tuesday and, if necessary, Game 3 is slated next Thursday.
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After being saddled in the bench for most part of the elimination round, Carl Bryan Cruz is slowly getting the minutes he deserve for the Alaska Aces in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup Finals with Magnolia Hotshots.
Cruz made good use of the minutes given him by coach Alex Compton by scoring 10 points in 15 minutes in their 100-71 win in Game 3 and also had valuable contributions in their series-tying Game 4 win last Wednesday.
“Siyempre sa part ko napakahirap talaga,” said the former Far Eastern University Tamaraws gunner. “Ang motivation ko lang is to stay patient at mag-work hard lang every practice.”
Compton, for his part, was all praise on the former Gilas Pilipinas player for working hard in the practice day in and day out despite not being part of his rotation before.
“He’s done the work all year,” Compton said. “Bryan’s been active in practice, listening, asking questions and working hard. I’m happy for him that he got his reward of playing so well. Really proud of him.”
Cruz performance in the previous matches could earned him longer minutes for him with the best-of-seven championship series now knotted at 2-2. Game 5 is being played as of press time./PN
