Denden Lazaro adds depth to already-stacked Petron roster

MANILA, Philippines—There’s no stopping Petron from beefing up its defense of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.

Fresh from winning the All-Filipino Conference, the Blaze Spikers added national team libero Denden Lazaro to their loaded roster ahead of the Grand Prix.

According to reports, Petron got hold of Lazaro’s signature after the defensive stalwart finished her two-year contract with former club Cocolife.

“Denden is a person of high character and a consummate pro. She proved that she could still play at a high level after helping us reach the semifinals in the Grand Prix. So with a heavy heart we announce her transfer to a new club,” said Cocolife team manager Joshua Ylaya in a statement.

“We wish her well in her quest for her first PSL crown.”

Lazaro, who started practicing with Petron on Monday, helped the Asset Managers to several playoff appearances but the team never found the strength to threaten the likes of Petron and F2—two teams who won five combined titles in 2017 and 2018,

The former Ateneo Lady Eagle is expected to fill the role of Buding Duremdes, who will now return to Far Eastern University for the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament that will start in February.

Lazaro joins a stacked team that features fellow Philippine internationals Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ces Molina, and Rhea Dimaculangan with Americans Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell serving as Petron’s reinforcements for the conference.