MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers kept its title retention bid alive after a 23-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 victory over F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in Game 2 of the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix finals on Thursday night at San Juan Arena.
With their bid in danger after losing Game 1, the Blaze Spikers leaned on imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell to emerge victorious and stretch the match to a do-or-die game tonight.
Bell finished with double-double 25 points and 24 digs while Niemer contributed 23 hits for the defending champions Blaze Spikers, whose 17 game winning run dating back eliminations was snapped with the Game 1 defeat last Tuesday.
“We accepted Game 1 as a challenge. It was a wake-up call,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos. “We had an open forum where we allowed everybody to express their feelings. We have to release all of those so we can feel the presence of everybody.”
Aside from the import, locals Mika Reyes contributed 13 markers, on seven kills, four blocks and a pair of aces, Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas had seven markers and Rhea Dimaculangan had 29 excellent sets for Petron.
Imports MJ Perez and Lindsay Stalzer again carried the load, finishing with 24 and 21 points, respectively for the Cargo Movers, which failed to finish off their rivals despite winning the opening set.
Mary Joy Baron and Ara Galang also shone with eight points apiece for the F2 Logistics while Dawn Macandili had double-double 26 digs and 18 receptions./PN
