Superliga: Fluid Petron catches RC Cola on top

EVEN with a retooled lineup, Petron showed it has kept its championship form.

And it was in full display Saturday as the two-time champion methodically cut down New San Jose Builders, 25-20, 25-16, 25-8, for its third straight victory in the PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Superliga women’s volleyball at Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

Later in the day, F2 Logistics thwarted a hard-fighting Cignal, 25-18, 25-17, 21-25, 25-22, to clinch a spot in the third round where the crack Thai team Bangkok Glass will compete with the league’s top three for the title.

Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas scattered 12 points to lead the Tri Activ who stormed to joint top spot with idle RC Cola-Army. Mina Aganon had nine points and Maica Morada chipped in eight for Petron.

The win set up a clash between the Tri Activ and the Lady Troopers in the final round.

“Although we like where we are right now, we can’t afford to relax,” said George Pascua. “We still have to reach our peak. Ces (Molina) is not yet 100 percent ready and some of us are still adjusting. We’re still a work in progress.”

Aganon accounted for six blocks to lead the Petron defense. Mayette Zapanta and setter Mary Grace Masangkay had three aces apiece.

Masangkay posted 18 excellent sets for the Petron gunners, while libero Jen Reyes made eight digs.

Petron needed time to get its rhythm, allowing NSJB to keep the scores close in the first set. But Aganon and Morada launched successive attacks to put Petron in the driver’s seat, 21-20. The Tri Activ never looked back.