F2 spikers clinch PSL Finals slot

F2 LOGISTICS handily disposed of defending champion Petron, 25-18, 25-15, 25-13, last night to snare the last championship berth in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference women’s volleyball at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

F2 Logistics will face Foton in the best-of-three title series starting on Thursday.

It was an expected win for the Cargo Movers, who have dominated the conference so far by winning all but one of their games. But the manner with which they defeated the Tri-Activ Spikers surprised most.

“They were playing very well in the first set, but once we caught up it may have some effect on their morale,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus. “And then we dominated the next two sets.”

Petron, which led 14-10 in the first frame, was completely outclassed from then on, and was just a mere specter of the team that won all 13 games en route to the title last year.

That championship squad, however, included Aby Maraño, Rachel Daquis and Dindin Manabat, who have since left for other squads or went on leave.

Maraño was, in fact, on the other side of the net, sharing scoring honors with Kim Dy at 12 points apiece. Cha Cruz added 10 for the Cargo Movers. Top middle blocker Mika Reyes was hardly used because of a hamstring injury.

F2’s Dawn Macandili did a better job as libero compared to Jen Reyes of Petron, making 12 excellent digs compared to the latter’s four.

F2 setter Kim Fajardo made 22 excellent sets, while the Cargo Movers totaled 21 successful receptions compared to the Tri-Activ Spikers’ measly nine.

De Jesus said it’s going to be an exciting battle against Foton because “we beat them and they beat us, so it’s equal. But we’ll need a certain amount of maturity.”

Earlier, Cignal drubbed Standard Insurance-Navy, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21, to book a battle for fifth place against Generika in the classification matches today.

Jeanette Panaga and Cherry Vivas scored 13 points each for the HD Spikers. Standard Insurance-Navy and Amy’s Kitchen battle for the seventh and eighth spots also today.