MANILA – F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and Petron Blaze Spikers fended off their semifinals foes to book a rematch in the finals of the 2018 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.
Led by Venezuelan import Maria Jose Perez, Cargo Movers ousted Foton Tornadoes, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, in Game 2 of their semifinals series on Thursday night at the San Juan Arena.
Perez, the reigning Grand Prix Most Valuable Player, led the way with 21 points, including 19 attacks, while American Kennedy Bryan chipped in 10 markers.
Ilongga Abigail Marano and Charleen Cruz also provided offensive spark with eight markers apiece, while Kim Fajardo contributed 28 excellent sets for the defending champions.
“The mindset of the players is to defend the title,” said F2 Logistics coach Arnold Laniog. “Our chemistry is improving and our connection is getting better. We know we have a shallow bench. So this kind of improvement can definitely help us.”
With Fajardo setting the table, the Cargo Movers coasted to a 2-0 set lead and opened the third set with a 15-10 advantage.
The Tornadoes tried to stay alive and come to within 20-22 but a pair of booming attacks from Perez ended the match for F2.
Reinforcements Elizabeth Wendel and Channon Thompson finished with 11 and 10 markers while Jaja Santiago and Maika Ortiz chipped in nine markers apiece for the Tornadoes.
In the second game, it was the Blaze Spikers’ turn to make a return trip to the finals. It clobbered Cocolife Asset Managers, 25-15, 25-15, 25-16.
The Game 1 of the best-of-three finals will be on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum./PN
