MANILA, Philippines - One-all.
Two-time defending champions Petron bounced back strong and dominated Foton, 13-25, 21-25, 25-23, 24-26, to force a deciding match in their best-of-3 titular showdown, Monday, November 30, at the Cuneta Astrodome.
After losing the first game to Foton, a grittier Petron opened the second game in an aggressive fashion, destroying the Tornadoes in the first set, 25-13.
Power-hitting import Rupia Inck provided the Blazing Spikers with solid offense, finishing with 25 points, while Aby Marano and Rachel Ann Daquis both finished with 16 markers each.
“You really have to motivate her to let her show her character as a fighter in the court,” Petron Head Coach George Pascua described Inck.
The Blazing Spikers took control of the first two sets but Foton snatched the momentum in the third set, botching Petron’s supposed straight set victory.
However, Petron held on to their momentum in the fourth set as Aby Marano and Dindin Santiago-Manabat continued to erect a strong defense by the net, peppered by the lethal attacks fired by Inck.
“Aby really stepped up her game today,” said Coach Pascua.
Lindsay Stalzer unloaded 23 points for the Tornadoes as Jaja Santiago and Katie Messing contributed 11 points each. However, Petron eventually managed to neutralize Foton’s two imports.
Pascua said the third game belongs to them.
“Hindi na naming ito bibitawan.”
(We will not let go of this chance.)
The two teams will clash for the deciding game on Saturday, December 5. – Rappler.com