MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers kicked off their title defense in the 2018 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Cup with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-18 sweep of Cocolife Asset Managers at the San Juan Arena.
Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas anchored the offense of the Blaze Spikers on Tuesday night with 14 points – 10 attacks, three service aces and a block – while Frances Xinia Molina added 10 markers.
Led by Maizo, Molina and other veterans Mika Reyes, Mary Remy Palma and Negrense Bernadeth Pons, the Blaze Spikers easily surged to an early lead in each set before thwarting the Asset Managers’ late runs.
“Masaya naman kami sa pinakita namin,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “Kailangan lang namin maging consistent iyong ganito kasi nga mahaba iyong tournament na ito.”
Filipina-American open hitter Kalei Mau made her Philippine debut with 13 markers for the Asset Managers.
Last year’s runner-up F2 Logistics Cargo Movers also had a winning start as they took down Cignal HD Spikers 25-16, 25-19, 25-19 and joined Blaze Spikers and Smart Giga Hitters on top of the standings (1-0).
While they struggled early, the Cargo Movers turned the second technical timeout as their springboard to turn things around and finished off the pesky HD Spikers in straight sets.
Cha Cruz-Behag led the way with 12 points while Ara Galang had an all-around line of 8 points, eight digs and nine excellent receptions for the Cargo Movers. Rachel Anne Daquis and Mylene Paat each had 12 points for the HD Spikers./PN
