F2 Logistics, the PSL All-Filipino champ. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
F2 LOGISTICS overwhelmed Foton with a high-octane performance to capture the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference championship last night.
With collegiate exuberance, contagious energy and girly, wrist-curl high fives, the Cargo Movers scored an 18-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 triumph to wrap up the best-of-three title series, 2-1.
Cheers erupted as confetti fell from the rafters of FilOil Flying V Arena celebrating F2 Logistics’ superb run to the title as well as its newly discovered rivalry against Foton that could last for a long time.
“My players deserve it, they showed that they got what it takes to win the title,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus. “In the end it all boils down to who wants it more. It’s been a great series and Foton made us play at our best.”
The Tornadoes, who won Game 2, captured the first set but they could no longer handle it when Cargo Movers Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, Aby Marano and Kim Kianna Dy started banging at their doors.
Dawn Macandili was awarded Most Valuable Player, the first ever in the league by a libero. She was also the Best Libero.
Jaja Santiago and Cherry Rondina, Foton’s heavy scorers, wept at the sidelines along with the rest of the Tornadoes, who were hoping to win the title as morale boost for their stint in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Club Championship next month.
But there was no denying this moment for the Cargo Movers, who are just on their first regular conference after joining the league early this year with a souped-up lineup.
It was also the first-ever PSL title for a team handled by Ramil de Jesus and fittingly so because it was made up of the core of the 2016 UAAP champion team La Salle.
F2 Logistics charged to a 3-0 lead in the first set until Foton coach Vilet Ponce de Leon called for a video challenge that didn’t only prove successful but also dampened the Cargo Movers’ hot start.
The Tornadoes used that break to unload 17 attacks against the Cargo Movers’ eight to claim, with seeming ease, the opening frame for the first time in the best-of-three title series.
In the individual awards, top rookie pick Galang wound up as the Best Outside Spiker, teammates Kim Fajardo and Macandili were Best Setter and Best Libero, respectively.
F2 Logistics’ heart and soul Aby Marano was Best Middle Blocker, while Santiago was Second Best Middle Blocker. RC Cola-Army’s Jovelyn Gonzaga was named Best Opposite Spiker and Petron’s Bernadeth Pons Second Best Outside Spiker.