Super Liga: Petron boots out PCSO, takes on Cignal in KO semis

Maika Ortiz. File photo

MANILA, Philippines — Petron rose from a set down to squeak past much-improved PCSO Bingo Milyonaryo, 27-29, 25-13, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12, in the Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Maika Ortiz scored 15 points while Fille Cainglet had 14 to help the Blaze Spikers come back from 1-2 after three sets and secure a semifinals berth.

“Nag-improve sila so we’re expecting na talagang pinaghandaan nila kami. Nag-improve sila sa depensa nila. Medyo naging aggressive sila,” Petron coach Vilet Ponce de Leon pointed out.

Aiza Maizo made her presence felt anew in the latter stages of the match en route to 13 points for Petron, which faces Cignal next in a knockout semis clash.

“Medyo bago bago pa kami nun e. We’ll study them. We’ll get back to the drawing board kasi yung mga hitters nila iba compared dito sa ibang mga teams. Pati yung rotation nila pag-aaralan namin,” Ponce de Leon said on the HD Spikers, who handed her squad a straight-set loss back in the opener.

“Ang tagal mag-init ni Aiza pero gusto ko yan kasi pag uminit siya towards the end of the game. Yun yung okay.”

Aside from its usual spikers, Petron got boost from Judy Ann Caballejo, who produced seven points.

“Kailangan ko kasi si Judy kasi matibay siya sa depensa. So we just have to guide her and give her confidence to guide her. Okay siya ngayon, kontrolado niya yung game niya.”

Maureen Penetrante and Michelle Gumabao led the Puffins with 17 and 16 points, respectively.