Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Backs against the wall, F2 Logistics played true to form and took down fierce rival Petron, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17, to force a deciding Game 3 of the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
Captain Cha Cruz-Behag provided the leadership and the crucial hits while Ara Galang topscored with 20 points to power the Cargo Movers.
Behag had 13 points, including back-to-back hits to clinch the game and deal the Blaze Spikers’ first defeat in 14 games.
“We were tight in the first set and there were some bad calls that affected our momentum, but in the second set, we played relaxed and we saw that we can really win the game,” F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus said in Filipino.
The Cargo Movers redeemed themselves after a lackadaisical effort in a 23-25, 11-25, 17-25 loss in Game 1 three nights ago.
“I felt that in Game 1, Cha was off, Aby (Maraño) was off, (Kim) Fajardo was off and it was like they don’t know each other,” de Jesus said.
The start of Game 2 appeared to be a repeat of the finals opener with Petron rolling to a 1-0 headstart, but F2 Logistics came to its senses and had no plans of watching a championship celebration.
Majoy Baron and Aby Maraño also came up huge especially on the defensive end with seven blocks combined.
Baron finished with 14 points while Maraño added eight. Mich Morente chipped in with 10 points.
Game 3 is on Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.