Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Petron held off Foton in a grueling five-setter, 28-26, 25-27, 25-21, 14-26, 15-12, to take the bronze medal in the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cherry Rondina was clutch, scoring five of the Blaze Spikers’ last six points.
Despite being relegated to the battle for third, Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos said he is still pleased with his team’s overall showing.
“No matter what happens, we’re still proud of what we achieved,” said Delos Santos, whose team was the defending champion in the conference, in Filipino.
“We knew what we did in the conference and we’re happy with what we did and with this bronze medal.”
Foton held an 11-9 lead late in the fifth set before Rondina took care of things scoring three straight points to give Petron a 12-11 lead.
Rondina and Mika Reyes then, exchanged kills for the Blaze Spikers’ 14-11 lead before Dindin Santiago-Manabat salved a point for the Tornadoes Blue Energy 14-12.
To cap off her marvelous late-game run, Rondina put away the final point and give Petron its first bronze medal in the Delos Santos era—a time frame that has produced five championships.
Rondina finished with 33 points to lead Petron while Ces Molina added 15 points.
Reyes and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas had 11 points apiece to help the Blaze Spikers.
Santiago-Manabat had 26 points to lead Foton while younger sister Jaja Santiago added 22.