Petron proved that it can rise up to the occasion, and F2 Logistics vowed to stand up to the pressure as they clash one last time for the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix title Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Game 3 starts at 7 p.m. to be followed by team and individual awarding ceremonies.
Whichever team takes the throne will be a tough call following close victories by both in the first two games of the series.
The Blaze Spikers, looking for their sixth conference title, were thrown to the ropes after losing Game 1, 25-20, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, which also snapped an astonishing 17-game winning streak.
The defeat suddenly put the franchise in danger—the first time the Blaze Spikers felt it the entire tournament.
But they responded like only champions do.
“Game 2 was a challenge that we took,” said Petron coach Shaq delos Santos. “We had a heart-to-heart talk after losing Game 1 and I’m very glad that it all paid off.”
Petron evened up the series on Thursday following a 23-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 victory in Game 2, carved out after a heart-rending first set defeat and after trailing, 18-22, in the second.
Returning import Kath Bell powered Petron with 27 points in Game 2, while Stephanie Niemer and Mika Reyes added 23 and 13 points, respectively.
But the key was F2 Logistics’ volume of errors, giving away 24 points off them compared to 16 by Petron.
The Cargo Movers will be shooting for their fourth crown and are expected to push harder in the no-tomorrow match.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil De Jesus said they will try not to be affected by the high-stakes game.