Shaq Delos Santos and Petron Tri-Activ Blaze Spikers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Change is coming for Petron ahead of the new Philippine Super Liga season after a fairly successful run in 2016.
Blaze Spikers assistant coach Ian Fernandez said Petron’s management is looking to “revamp” the team and put up a taller lineup that can go up against the likes of Foton who boasts the sister partnership of Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
“We had a meeting and what was talked about was the revamp of players so as of now we are looking for players and we are also recruiting,” said Fernandez, whose team collected a couple of silver medals in the indoor tournaments.
Fernandez added it was the suggestion of San Miguel Corporation President Ramon S. Ang to get taller players after the Blaze Spikers lost to two straight games to Foton in the Grand Prix finals.
Petron’s tallest local players are captain Ces Molina, Christine Rosario, and Cherry Nunag, who are all listed at 5-foot-11.
“As per sir Al Francis [Chua] boss RSA wants taller players because, you all saw it during the Grand Prix. Half of the points were from the imports so if those two leave there’s that 50 percent in the offense that should be filled,” said Fernandez.
Stephanie Niemer, Petron’s high-octane import, averaged 31.5 points during the finals but got little help from the locals.
Fernandez added some of their players may be cut from the lineup but no concrete actions have been executed.