F2, Petron muscle way past PSL foes

F2 Logistics. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.NET

F2 LOGISTICS outshone Cignal, 25-12, 23-25, 25-20, 25-11, Saturday to kick start its campaign in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference.

Later, revamped defending champion Petron thrashed Foton, 25-19, 21-17, 25-21, anchored on a low-key game plan led by Aiza Pontillas, who hammered 16 points.

“We were able to execute our game plan which is to stop Jaja (Santiago) and (Cherry) Rondina,” said Petron coach George Pascua. “This is a good start but we have to maintain it.”

Ara Galang, Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo of champion team La Salle were formally afforded a warm welcome to the league and didn’t disappoint the throng of yelling fans at a packed FilOil Flying V Centre.

Galang scored 11 points, while Reyes and Fajardo each added nine for the Cargo Movers.

“This is eye-level for my players. They saw players who they look up to and some they even idolize although they themselves are popular already,” said F2 coach Ramil de Jesus.

Still it was veterans Aby Marano and Stephanie Mercado who delivered the bulk of scoring, making 17 and 11 points, respectively.
De Jesus said he told the players that “the [UAAP title] celebration is over. This is the PSL already and the moment they step into the court, they have to play their best.”

It was actually what the Cargo Movers did, tearing the opening frame apart with attacks from the wings courtesy of this year’s top rookie choice Galang and Mercado.

“It was too late when they (Cignal) noticed that we are already ahead by a big margin,” said De Jesus.

Cignal brandished another UAAP star Carmela Tunay, but the former University of Santo Tomas star failed to get her range and was just good for two points.

Other collegiate stars Jannine Navarro, Djanel Cheng and Jeanette Panaga—all from reigning NCAA champ St. Benilde—also didn’t click.

Cherry May Vivas led the HD Spikers with 13 points but they clearly lacked cohesion as Cheng failed to put order into their offense.