Maizo shakes off injuries to lead Petron over Bingo

MANILA, Philippines – Petron drew enough firepower from Aiza Maizo and Fille Cainglet to beat PCSO Bingo Milyonaryo, 18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16, in the 2013 Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Maizo and Cainglet unleashed 18 points each to lead the Blaze Spikers to their second win in four games.

“The team is starting to jell. And from the first set to the third, we’re still trying to find the right combinations. Fortunately, nakuha namin,” said Petron coach Vivet Ponce de Leon.

“Aiza (Maizo) has not really been well due to injuries for the past games so ngayon medyo okay na siya and Fille (Cainglet) nag-step up siya. And that’s what we expect from our players,” added de Leon, who also serves as an assistant coach for University of Santo Tomas’ women’s volleyball team.

The 25-year-old Maizo, who played a vital role in the Tigresses’ two UAAP championships during her time, said she is still battling through lower back and shoulder injuries despite starring in her team’s win.

“Sumasakit pa din. Mabuti na lang ininuman ko lang ng gamot kanina. Off talaga laro last game,” said Maizo, who had 16 attacks, including the one that put her team in match point, 24-16.

Former UST standouts Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan added 11 points apiece.

Back-to-back drops by Dimaculangan stretched Petron’s lead to seven in the third set before Ortiz’s runner off of Dimaculangan’s set made it, 21-13.

Stephanie Mercado also had 11 markers for the Puffins, who fell to 1-3.

Read more...