THE F2 Logistics Cargo Movers completed an impressive finals turnaround in the recently concluded best-of-three Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Grand Prix finals, winning it all over the Petron Blaze Spikers.
While they were completed outplayed in the series opener last Tuesday, the Cargo Movers made the necessary adjustments and played with a lot of determination in the next two matches en route to what their coach said was a “sweet victory” for the team.
The finals comeback by F2 Logistics was completed on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena as it defeated Petron, 25-20, 25-19, 20-25 and 25-18, in the winner-take-all and in the process took its first Grand Prix crown.
“We know Petron as a very talented team. They have so many weapons,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, a many-time champion coach at various levels in local volleyball.
“That’s why it’s a sweet victory for us. We made some adjustments and they failed to respond. We also made some key defensive stops that led us to this win,” he added.
Mr. De Jesus also paid tribute to one of their reinforcements in the Grand Prix in Venezuelan Maria Jose Perez, who played her heart out in the clincher despite losing his brother to cancer the previous day.
The F2 Logistics coach said Ms. Perez exemplified the determination of the team to overcome whatever obstacles.
“She played with a heavy heart after the passing of her older brother yesterday (Friday),” Mr. De Jesus said of Ms. Perez who led the team in Game Three with 24 points.
“But she remained focus, played great and led us to this victory,” he added.
Also stepping up for the Cargo Movers was veteran Cha Cruz, who picked up from her stellar performance in Game Two off the bench to come up with 16 points, 13 from kills and three aces, in the clincher.
Their latest championship conquest is the second for the Cargo Movers in the PSL. They bagged their maiden title in the 2015 All-Filipino Conference.
Meanwhile, it was a double celebration for F2 Logistics import Ms. Perez who also won league most valuable player honors.
Joining Ms. Perez on the honor roll were Serbian Sara Klisura of Foton as the best scorer, Hillary Hurley of Petron (1st Best Outside Spiker), Lindsay Stalzer of Petron (2nd Best Outside Spiker), Mika Reyes of Petron (1st Best Middle Blocker), Majoy Baron of F2 Logistics (2nd Best Middle Blocker), Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics (Best Setter), Jaja Santiago of Foton (Best Opposite), Kianna Dy of F2 Logistics (2nd Best Opposite), Dawn Macandili of F2 Logistics (Best Libero) and Yuri Fukuda of Petron (2nd Best Libero) in the podium.
PSL matches are shown live over ESPN5. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
