Blaze Spikers hold off Raiders, wrest No. 2

MANILA, Philippines - Petron bounced back strong from a third set defeat as it turned back RC Cola-Air Force, 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 25-10, yesterday in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Blaze Spikers bucked the services of prized setter Erika Adachi of Brazil as they pounced on the Raiders’ poor reception to close out their first-round campaign in the inter-club tourney presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Mikasa, Senoh and Mueller as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcaster on a winning note.

Adachi suffered severe allergy over the weekend and missed the action. But local playmaker Aby Masangkay stepped up to lead Petron’s balanced offensive attack.

Import Rupia Inck fired 13 kills for a total of 15 points, while Frances Molina had 13 markers. Dindin Manabat and Rachel Anne Daquis delivered 12 points apiece for the Blaze Spikers, who took advantage of the Raiders’ lethargic floor defense and reception.

With the win, the Blaze Spikers moved up to second with a 3-2 win-loss card behind idle leader Cignal with 3-0.

“I told the team that we should be more aggressive in our set plays and have longer rallies to tire them out,” said Petron coach George Pascua.

“As the game goes on, their endurance will eventually fade. I told the team to target the imports with our services to allow the locals of RC Cola-Air Force work on their attacks.”

Atoning for their so-so third set performance, the Blaze Spikers raced to a 16-7 lead entering the second technical timeout of the fourth set and never looked back.

“Everything went according to plan,” Pascua added. “Fortunately, our game plan paid off. We were effective in removing their imports out of their comfort zones.”

Sara McClinton registered 15 kills, five aces and one block to finish with a game-high 21 points while her partner, Puerto Rican Lynda Morales, finished with 14 kills for a total of 18 points for the Raiders, who fell to 1-1.