Blaze Spikers seek to extend perfect PSL run to nine

Petron seeks to stay perfect in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix and keep top spot as well when the Blaze Spikers shoot for win No. 9 against a struggling Sta. Lucia Realty crew Thursday at FilOil Flying V Centre.

The Blaze Spikers are trying to inch toward duplicating a 2015 feat of sweeping the eliminations and eventually winning the all-Filipino crown.

Petron-Sta. Lucia is set at 4:15 p.m. before F2 Logistics tries to keep the Blaze Spikers within striking distance—and add to Cignal’s woes—in the 7 p.m. contest.

Coach Shaq Delos Santos of Petron reminded everybody that going after that 2015 record will not come easy, even against a Realtors crew that is not flaunting sharp form with a 3-5 record.

“We are playing well, but this is not time to relax,” said Delos Santos. “The format calls for consistency especially in the crucial quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.”

Petron and F2 Logistics are already assured of playoff berths, but finishing at the top of the heap remains to be the primary objective for it carries lighter assignments in the quarterfinals.

Cignal is also at 3-5 and needs all the wins it could get to make the playoffs.

“We’re looking at Foton to be our quarterfinal opponent so our loss last Tuesday was really a sad development,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga.

“But it is what it is. All we have to do now is to go all out and keep a positive attitude. If we win our next two games, then we’ll have a shot at the twice-to-beat advantage,” he added.

Cignal dropped a 25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 32-30 decision to Foton on Tuesday. On that same day, Sta. Lucia suffered a 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22 loss to Cocolife.