F2 Logistics. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
F2 Logistics made sure there’s no weekday party for Petron Thursday night.
Displaying a strong fighting spirit, the Cargo Movers soldiered their way to a thrilling 25-20, 24-26, 14-25, 25-19, 15-4 triumph to equalize the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix best-of-three finals at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Down two sets to one and 0-9 in the fourth frame, F2 Logistics leaned on net defense and some burst of brilliance from its local crew led by Aby Maraño and Cha Cruz to forge a deciding Game 3 on Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Back-up libero Carmel Saga and Majoy Baron also delivered from the defensive end, especially when the chips were down.
“It was great feeling to be able to help your team and deliver what is expected from you,” said Cruz, who had eight points, including six attacks.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus said they hope to capitalize on their big victory on Saturday.
Maria Jose Perez scored 23 points for the Cargo Movers, who took the Blaze Spikers by surprise in the opening set but were caught in the tailspin in the next two frames.
Petron was ready to celebrate its fourth title in the league with imports Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley unloading points with impunity.
That’s when Cruz—the team captain whose playing minutes were cut in favor of the imports—punched in important points while Baron and Maraño locked down the net—scoring 17 points off the blocks against five by Petron— to steadily turn things around.
Stalzer accounted for 23 points, while Hurley delivered 15 points for the Blaze Spikers.
Petron expectedly tried to come out strong and employ its vaunted blitz, but it backfired as it committed successive attacking errors that enabled F2 Logistics to take the driver’s seat in the opening set, leading by as many as 14-6. The Cargo Movers also scored six points on blocks in that set alone.