Petron shares lead in S’Liga

MANILA, Philippines - Dindin Santiago played to her true potential and fired 31 hits, powering Petron Blaze to a 22-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-21 victory over Cagayan Valley to gain a share of the lead with Air Asia in the PLDT Home DSL-Phl Super Liga All-Filipino Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday night.

The solid-spiking 6-2 Santiago unleashed a 24-kill effort and made three blocks and four service aces to help steer the Blaze Spikers to their second straight victory in a tie with the hot-starting Flying Spikers.

It was another sterling effort for this year’s top overall rookie pick after Santiago put in a 37-point performance during her Liga debut against PLDT Home TVolution last week.

“Dindin is our main source of strength and she is showing everybody why,” said Petron coach George Pascua, who also credited their win to the team’s long preparation.

“We prepared hard for Cagayan. I told my players that they don’t deserve to lose this match because they sacrificed a lot during training. They simply refused to lose,” he said.

In men’s action, Alnakran Abdilla came through with a clutch effort as PLDT Home TVolution-Air Force dumped the Richard Gomez-led Systema side, 25-21, 25-13, 25-27, 25-15.

Abdilla, member of the Phl squad that finished seventh in last month’s Asian Men’s Club Championship, scattered 20 hits, including six aces as the Power Attackers nailed their first win in the conference.

The premiere club tournament is organized by Sports Core, supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical with Solar Sports as its official television carrier.