THE F2 Logistics Cargo Movers launched a torrid fourth-set rally to pull off a heart-stopping 25-20, 24-26, 14-25, 25-19, 15-4 victory over the Petron Blaze Spikers to equalize their Chooks-to Go-Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Grand Prix best-of-three finals series last night at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
The Cargo Movers crawled back from a deep 0-9 hole in the fourth set before setting out as the more galvanized team in the fifth to claim Game Two and send the series to a rubber match on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Import Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela sizzled at the attack zone, but it was veterans Cha Cruz and Aby Marano who delivered in a furious rally in the fourth set en route to a masterful performance in the decider.
Ms. Perez, who campaigned for the Venezuelan national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, tallied 20 kills to finish with 25 points while Kennedy Bryan also stepped up and chipped in 15 markers for F2 Logistics, which is looking to avenge its setback to Petron in the finals of the All-Filipino Conference last July.
National team member Marano delivered 10 points, highlighted by four blocks for the Cargo Movers’ 17 total blocks.
Ms. Cruz came off the bench with eight points, many of them in the crucial fourth set.
Head coach Ramil de Jesus lauded his wards’ great defense, but noted that it was their composure in the fourth set that prompted them to deny Petron its second Grand Prix title in four years.
“They (Petron) felt it was over,” said Mr. De Jesus, heaving a sigh of relief after the Cargo Movers recovered from a sluggish start in the fourth.
“If you look at it, you may think that it’s already over. But my team refused to quit. We managed to stay close in the fourth set to gain momentum in the fifth set.”
Mr. De Jesus added that Game Three would be anybody’s ball game.
“I think we already have the momentum,” he said. “It’s going to be an intense battle.”
Lindsay Stalzer, the Most Valuable Player in 2015, knocked down 20 kills and three aces for 24 points while Hillary Hurley had 16 markers for Petron.
