Petron dismisses Smart challenge, sweeps All-Filipino first round

Petron brushed off another sluggish start before routing Smart, 25-23, 25-13, 25-12, to complete a sweep of the first round of the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Saturday at Caloocan Sports Center.

Middle blockers Remy Palma and Mika Reyes asserted their dominance to tow the Blaze Spikers to their 10th consecutive win.

Palma was a revelation as she registered seven kills, five aces and three blocks for 15 points while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Reyes chipped in 11 markers apiece for the Blaze Spikers, who are on track to duplicate their historic sweep of this conference three years ago.

By taking the top spot, Petron will be matched against the eighth-ranked team in the sudden-death quarterfinals slated on Thursday at Batangas City Coliseum.

In the Collegiate Grand Slam, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan shocked Far Eastern University, 17-25, 22-25, 25-12, 25-18, 15-12, while the University of Santo Tomas remained flawless following a 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 win over the University of the Philippines.

Despite falling behind by two sets, the Eagles refused to surrender as Lency Duarte and Aliah Marce delivered crucial hits to complete their upset of the UAAP powerhouse.

Duarte fired 16 kills for 19 points, including 18 digs, while Marce delivered 16 points off 13 spikes and three service aces for the Eagles.

Maveth Torres was also instrumental with seven markers while Venice Puzon made 28 excellent sets on top of 20 digs and seven points.

Lycha Ebon erupted for 29 points while Martha Mora added 14 hits for the Lady Tamaraws, who committed 36 errors en route to their third loss in four matches.

Filipino-Italian sophomore Milena Alessandrini dropped 14 points while rookie Eya Laure and Dimdim Pacres chipped in 10 hits for the Tigresses, who remain unbeaten in three matches.

The Lady Maroons, who banked on Aie Gannaban’s 11 markers, dropped to 3-1 as they missed star spiker Tots Carlos due to an ankle injury.