Can Petron turn Game 2 into a title celebration? —SHERWIN VARDELEON
Petron coach Shaq delos Santos has already put the team’s Game 1 victory over F2 Logistics last Tuesday in the archives.
The veteran mentor is very much aware that the Cargo Movers are highly capable of coming up with major adjustments for Game 2 of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix finals at FilOil Flying V Center.
Petron is hoping that a three-set victory in Game 1 will provide enough momentum for a title clincher in Thursday’s Game 2.
“For sure they will come back,” said Delos Santos, who is looking to give Petron its second conference title this season. “We want to see how F2 will play in Game 2.”
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus said “we failed our test in Game 1,” right after the match and made it clear that “we need to give our 100 percent in Game 2. That’s it.”
Delos Santos was understandably a bit more articulate, saying their game plan worked perfectly against the Cargo Movers, who tend to start slowly before steadily working their way into the match.
That was also a major key when the Blaze Spikers dominated the Cargo Movers for the All-Filipino Conference title early this year.
“We know how they play, and tonight we showed just how much we prepared against them,” added Delos Santos, referring to the masterful 25-14, 25-21, 25-16 triumph in Game 1.
With a full arsenal at his disposal, Delos Santos has managed to whip his team to strong starts behind heavy-hitting imports Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley and some deft setting by Rhea Dimaculangan, who tossed 25 excellent sets.
F2 Logistics can hold its own in terms of talent—with Venezuelan star Maria Jose Perez and Kennedy Bryan in tow—but its ball distribution couldn’t keep up with that of Petron.