By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Tuesday
(Muntinlupa Sports Center)
4:15 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Foton
7 p.m. – Petron vs Cignal
From left: F2 Logistics’ Aby Maraño and Dawn Madandili, Petron’s Mika Reyes, Foton’s Jaja Santiago and Cignal’s Rachel Daquis. (Photos: Rio Leonelle Deluvio and PSL Images)
Defending champion Petron and F2 Logistics, with eyes at a return trip to the finals, meet separate rivals today in the semifinal round of the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
The Blaze Spikers tackle the Cignal HD Spikers at 7 p.m. after the Cargo Movers battle the Foton Tornadoes in the 4:15 p.m. opener.
Petron and F2 Logistics enjoy twice-to-beat semis incentives owing to higher seedings, finishing the double-round eliminations with the Top 2 spots.
The Blaze Spikers advanced to the Final Four after routing eighth seed the Marinerang Pilipina Lady Skippers, 25-18, 25-13, 25-11, in the knockout quarterfinals while the Cargo Movers drubbed No. 7 Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-10, 25-14, 25-17.
Now at the peak with 12 straight victories from the eliminations, Petron guns for a finals berth behind a solid frontline composed of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Mika Reyes and Aiza Pontillas. Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan adds strength to their offensive core.
Taking charge of their defense would be Ces Molina and libero Denden Lazaro.
Cignal has its own arsenal as the No. 5 HD Spikers are riding the crest of a morale-boosting 25-15, 17-25, 25-18, 25-22 quarters triumph over No. 4 Generika-Ayala.
Challenging Petron’s defense will be Cignal’s hard-hitting spiker Rachel Daquis and Mylene Paat, while defense will be manned by Alohi Robins-Hardy and Jovelyn Gonzaga.
In the other pairing, F2 Logistics will bank on Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Ara Galang and Dawn Macandili in going up against Foton’s twin towers of sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
The Tornadoes are coming off a 16-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-12 quarters win over PLDT Home Fibr.
Tags: Cignal , F2 Logistics , Foton , Petron , Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference , PSL
