Petron claims PSL All-Filipino title, sweeps F2

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Petron had to cross a mountain of a hurdle to dethrone F2 Logistics atop the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference in a five-set thriller, 26-24, 24-26, 24-26, 25-23, 15-11, in Game 2 of the championship round Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre.

This title stopped the Blaze Spikers’ two-year championship drought after Petron won the 2015 All-Filipino Conference.

In a pulsating match that saw both teams trade rallies, hits, and leads, it was an unfortunate net fault that doomed F2 Logistics and glorified Petron.

Molina answered Galang’s off-the-block kill with her own to give Petron a 12-11 bubble and she then put her team on match point, 14-11 with a crippling ace.

With talents such as Molina, Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, and Rhea Dimaculangan, Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos said it all boiled down to his team’s constant communication.

“Communication is very important to us, and every time we practice we talk about everything,” said Delos Santos. “The whole team, the players, the coaching staff, everyone talks.”

“And the result has been so beautiful because everything we planned has panned out.”

Substitute Cherry Rondina personified her “Cherry Bomb” nickname when she exploded for 16 points, four of which came in succession in the fourth set, while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas added 14.

Bernadeth Pons and Molina also finished in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Galang had 20 points to lead the Cargo Movers with Aby Maraño and Mary Joy Baron combining for 27 points.