Petron clawed back from two sets down to frustrate a hard-fighting Shopinas squad, 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16, 15-9, last night and keep its unbeaten slate in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at Cuneta Astrodome.
With its pride and unblemished record on the line, the Blaze Spikers fought off from 16-19 in the third with Fille Cayetano firing successive shots from the left flank that finally opened cracks on the Lady Slammers’ seemingly impregnable defense.
The Blaze Spikers then showed why they are the most feared squad in the league by taking control of the match behind Dindin Manabat, who finished with 23 points.
Petron raised its leading record to 3-0 while Shopinas suffered its second successive defeat in four outings.
The Lady Clickers took advantage of a disorganized Petron side in the first two sets with Cha Cruz and Stephanie Mercado firing well-placed shots and Kim Dy and Micmic Laborte guarding the net with authority.
Shopinas scored on blocks five of 11 times in the second set where it appeared Petron wasn’t ready to play after a long layoff.
But Aby Maraño joined hands with Cayetano in scoring many of Petron’s last 15 points in the third to extend the match.
In the fourth, Santiago unloaded nine points with running spikes and open hits that shook the Lady Clickers’ resolve.
Petron sustained its comeback in the fifth set and clinched the match in two hours and 30 minutes.
Maraño accounted for 14 points.