Petron trips B Milyonaryo, reaches semis

MANILA, Philippines - Petron wore down Bingo Milyonaryo in a tense, five-setter, pulling off a 27-29, 25-13, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12 squeaker to arrange a semifinal showdown with Cignal in the Philippine Super Liga women’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Maika Ortiz fired 12 kills and made three blocks while former UST teammates Aiza Maizo added 12 kills and Rhea Dimaculangan chipped in six aces as the Blazer Spikers survived the do-or-die duel with the Puffins to advance against the fancied Cignal side.

The semis is set Friday at the MOA Arena. Cagayan Valley and PLDT-MyDSL were disputing the last Final Four berth at presstime, with the winner to face top seed Philippine Army for a spot in the finals.

With Venus Bernal leading the charge, the HD Spikers are tipped to repeat over Petron, which they beat in three in the elims.

Former La Salle ace Maureen Penetrante scored 11 of her 17 points on kills while Maica Morada chipped in 12 spikes for the Puffins, who were on the verge of pulling off an upset in the fourth set until Maizo and Ortiz stepped up to force the decider.

Petron dominated the fifth and held a 13-9 lead before taking two of the next five points to clinch the win.