Petron targets roaring start vs Sta. Lucia; Foton, Generika-Ayala face off

Powerhouse Petron takes the first step back to the crown when it clashes with a souped-up Sta. Lucia Realty squad as the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix fires off Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Battle starts at 4 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers looking to come up with a roaring start in a bid to finally reclaim the title in the tough club tourney.

Foton and Generika-Ayala will also gun for their first victory when they clash in the 2 p.m. first game.

Although the import-flavored conference gets underway with its first two matches, the league will have its formal opening ceremonies at the Sta. Rosa City Sports Complex on Feb. 24 where all eight teams will join in the traditional parade of colors.

After losing in the finals for three straight years, the Blaze Spikers hope to finally conquer the title in what is billed as the most prestigious, most competitive women’s volleyball tourney in the country.

American spikers Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley and Japanese libero Yuri Fukuda will be back to power the Blaze Spikers, who will parade the same core of Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina and Rhea Dimaculangan.

Team additions include middle blocker Luth Malaluan, setter Angelica Legacion and libero Pia Gaiser, who will debut in the tournament after suffering a knee injury in her final playing year for University of the Philippines in the UAAP.

“We will do our best to step up this year,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos, whose wards were on the verge of winning the title before completely fading against a tough F2 Logistics side in the best-of-three finals showdown of last year’s Grand Prix.

“Our goal is to finally win the title this year. We haven’t won the Grand Prix crown since 2014 and I can say that we’re all hungry and ready to win.”