Blaze Spikers in swashbuckling debut

Tall and talented Mika Reyes typified Petron’s supreme pedigree and anchored Blaze Spikers’ grand debut in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Thursday night.

Smart and quick at the net and always flashing a killer smile, Petron’s franchise player fired the clutch points just when newcomer Marinerang Pilipina was entertaining thoughts of upsetting the two-time defending champions.

“You have to always keep your composure and show that everything is under control, that helps rub on your teammates as well,” said Reyes, who is turning 25 on Friday.

The national team mainstay scored 10 points, including three dinks in the second set, to preserve Petron’s 25-21, 25-16, 25-10 triumph at Imus City Sports Complex.

Marinerang Pilipina, playing with nothing to lose, jolted Petron with 12-9 lead in the second frame.

But the 6-foot Reyes, known for her timing than her power, found unmanned spots on the floor to anchor a scoring binge that made it a 19-13 Petron lead.

It was easy for Petron the rest of the way.

“We worked very hard in training and we know these teams will come hard at us,” said Reyes.

It also helped that the Blaze Spikers paraded an intact lineup that won the past two championships.

The Blaze Spikers buried the fledgling Marineras with 42 attacks against 21 for the enemy. They also beat them at the service area, 8-2.