PSL: Army, Petron flaunt strength

ALREADY assured of spots in the final round, RC Cola-Army and Petron proved unrelenting as they walloped their rivals  Saturday at the close of the elimination round of the 2016 PLDT Home Ultera Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference women’s volleyball at FilOil Flying V Center.

The Lady Troopers shut the final round door on the Cignal HD Spikers with an emphatic 25-16, 25-14, 25-19 victory, after the Tri-Activ Spikers bucked a sluggish start to crush Foton Toplander, 14-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-7.

RC and Petron ended up with identical 5-1 records.

With Cignal’s defeat, F2 Logistics (4-2) earned the last spot to the final round where Thai powerhouse Est Cola will join the fray against three Superliga teams.

The Lady Troopers made light work of the HD Spikers with Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga coming away with a combined 29 hits. It was a terrific response from the Lady Troopers after dropping a five-setter to the Tri-Activ Spikers last Thursday.

“At least we will be going to the final round with very high morale,” said RC assistant coach Rico de Guzman.

The Tri-Activ Spikers needed another strong game from veteran Aiza Pontillas, who tallied 19 kills en route to a 20-point effort, to break out of an early funk.

Bang Pineda and Maica Morada joined forces in a furious windup for Petron with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

“The girls made adjustments in the first set before heating up,” said Petron coach George Pascua.