MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers continued its fine start in the 2019 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after a 25-19, 25-11, 25-12 win over Foton Tornadoes on Saturday night at Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
Reinforcements Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer led the way with 24 and 14 points, respectively, for the defending champions Blaze Spikers, which improved to 3-0 win-loss slate.
The Blaze Spikers were never threatened in the game as they surged to an early advantage in each sets before preventing the Tornadoes from gaining momentum for an easy win.
“Hindi ko inexpect na ganun kabilis Iang kalaban din kasi ang Foton,” said Blaze Spikers head coach Ceseal delos Santos. “Siguro maganda lang talaga ang naging takbo ng team namin. For sure lahat ng teams paghahandaan kami.”
Courtney Felinski top-scored with 11 points while Selime Ilyasoglu chipped in 10 markers for the Tornadoes, which dropped to 1-1 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, PLDT Home Fibr flirted with disaster before escaping with a thrilling, 24-26, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 15-8 victory over a crippled Generika-Ayala Lifesavers in the second game.
American imports Grace Lazard delivered 22 points while Kendra Dahlke came through with 21 markers as PLDT took advantage of Lifesavers’ import Nikolle del Rio of Brazil, who crashed with an ankle injury in her debut game.
In another match, Cignal HD Spikers caught fire, torching Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors in the second and third sets before going for the kill in the fourth to pull off a 23-25, 25-11, 25-16, 25-23 victory. Erica Wilson had 23 points for the HD Spikers./PN
