MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers banked on Lindsay Stalzer’s clutch conversions as it scored a 25-14, 23-25, 15-25, 25-14, 15-13 victory over Cocolife Asset Managers in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the San Juan Arena.
With the scores tied 13-all in the fifth and deciding set, the former PSL Most Valuable Player unloaded a sharp kill from the open spot for the set point followed by another kill to seal the win for Blaze Spikers.
Stalzer, now on her fourth tour of duty in the league, delivered 21 kills and a service ace for 22 points for Petron on Tuesday night while Hillary Hurley chipped in 13 attacks to finish with 15 points.
Mika Reyes finished with 13 points, including three blocks and three service aces, while Frances Xinia Molina and Ilongga Aiza Maizo-Pontillas combined for 17 markers for Blaze Spikers (9-1).
“We can’t be complacent, especially with what happened in our last game (against Sta. Lucia). It was a lesson learned and we would carry that as we go along (in our journey),” said Blaze Spikers mentor Ceseal delos Santos.
Sara Klisura finished with 23 hits while Marta Drpa added 20 for Asset Managers, which closed out its classification round assignment with six wins in 10 outings.
In the other game defending champion F2 Logistics Cargo Movers grabbed the top spot heading into the quarterfinals with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-17 straight-set win over Foton Tornadoes.
Charleen Cruz-Behag and Venezuelan import Maria Jose Perez finished with 14 points apiece to lead the way for Cargo Movers, which beat out Blaze Spikers for the top spot due to superior quotient./PN
