THE CHAMPIONSHIP of the Philippine SuperLiga All-Filipino Conference gets decided today with protagonists Petron Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers fighting it out in their Game Three rubber match at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Set for 7 p.m., both Petron and F2 Logistics look to come out on top in the decider and add another hardware to their growing haul of PSL titles while at the same time getting bragging rights in their finals rivalry, after splitting their four previous PSL championship encounters.
The winner-take-all was forced after the Cargo Movers bounced back from a straight-sets defeat in the series-opener with a convincing four-set victory in Game Two, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20 and 25-17, on Tuesday.
Ara Galang led the way for F2 Logistics, finishing with 20 points, 17 off kills, two from aces and a block.
Majoy Baron and Cha Cruz-Behag backstopped her with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Blaze Spikers took early control of the contest, claiming the opening set.
In the next three sets though, it was the Cargo Movers who would hold sway.
They opened each frame strong, building early cushions and adding on them the rest of the way.
Petron played catch-up for much of the last three sets but could not complete its fight backs to slump to the defeat.
“We just gave our best. We came here to win and we’re thankful we got it,” said Ms. Galang following their Game Two victory.
For Ms. Cruz-Behag, who provided the finishing touches to extend the series, it is important for them to stay focused and be aggressive heading into the rubber match.
She went on to say that they have to stick to their game plan and believe in their abilities as individual players and as a team.
Incidentally, the Game Two loss was the first for Petron in all of the conference.
The Blaze Spikers dominated the competition in the first two rounds of classification play before rolling past their opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
They now hope to regroup for Game Three to repeat as All-Filipino Conference champions.
Game Five of the finals will be shown live over ESPN5. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
