Hot Petron topples RC Cola-Army

SEASONED veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas scored back-to-back hits in the endgame as Petron overpowered erstwhile unbeaten RC Cola-Army, 19-25, 29-27, 25-22, 14-25, 15-12, last night in the PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Superliga Invitationals at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Tri Activ Spikers didn’t only redeem themselves from a sorry loss to Cignal, they also proved their worth against a fellow champion club that didn’t give up a single set in their four previous matches in the conference.

The Tri Activ Spikers tied the Lady Troopers in top spot with 4-1 records as the teams try to fill the three slots in the final round where they will compete alongside guest team EST Cola from Thailand.

Cignal lived to fight another match after a 25-20, 25-18, 25-18, victory over Foton in the second game. The HD Spikers, now on a two-game winning streak for 3-2, faces a must-win situation against RC Cola-Army tomorrow.

The 28-year-old Pontillas, a former mainstay of champion teams from University of Santo Tomas, scored 16 points, including 15 spikes. Her last two smashes came near the end of the fifth set.

Yet for the rest of the three-hour match, Petron leaned on hustle on the floor and tough net defense to contain the big guns of RC Cola-Army.

Jen Reyes had 19 excellent receptions, while combining with Bang Pineda for 20 digs to make things difficult for the Lady Troopers even with their gunners like Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royse Tubino around.

Pineda also contributed in offense, smashing 14 points, while 6-foot rookie Christine Joy Rosario chipped in 13. Rosario and Cherry Rose Nunag had two blocks each.

Tubino topscored for the Lady Troopers with 20 points, while Joanne Bunag and Nene Bautista had 11 and nine points, respectively.