Amid euphoria of PSL title conquest, Petron seeks long reign

MANILA, Philippines – The ecstasy of winning has yet to completely sink in to Petron a day after conquering the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix title.

Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos remains grateful for the milestone, saying that they will work hard to maintain their spot in the elite circle of this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

The Blaze Spikers are no strangers to the Grand Prix throne.

They, in fact, are the second team to conquer the crown in what is billed as the toughest, most competitive tournament in Philippine volleyball with American stunner Alaina Bergsma and Brazilian playmaker Erica Adachi as imports.

With that impressive win, there are talks that that Petron is set to establish a Grand Prix dynasty.

But it didn’t happen.

Bergsma brought her talent to China while Adachi teamed up with fellow Brazil junior national team member Rupia Inck the following season as well as local stars Rachel Anne Daquis, Dindin Manabat and Aby Marano.

The Blaze Spikers huffed and puffed all throughout the eliminations before bowing to Katie Messing, Lindsay Stalzer and the rampaging Foton side in the finals, sparking an overhaul in their roster.

The following year, Petron is back in the finals, this time, with powerful hitter Stephanie Niemer and blocker Serena Warner as reinforcements.

Again, they lost to the Tornadoes, who paraded the explosive tandem of Stalzer and Ariel Usher.

Unable to solve the Stalzer riddle, Petron tapped her as import the following year. She was teamed up with Hillary Hurley to form a high-powered combo that has the ultimate objective of winning the crown.

But after winning Game One of their best-of-three finals, Petron got ambushed by a rampaging F2 Logistics squad in Games Two and Three, a disaster that again reduced them into a mere footnote in the history of the Grand Prix.

This time, Petron made sure that no meltdown would ever happen.

And they would end up completing their long, grueling odyssey back to the Grand Prix title.

“That’s why I’m still running out of words. I couldn’t explain this kind of feeling,” said Delos Santos shortly after creaming F2 Logistics in a dramatic four-set encounter over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ve traveled long just to get here. It’s been a tough journey — but it’s all worth it.”

Stalzer, who was crowned as the most triumphant import with three Grand Prix titles and two Most Valuable Player crowns, said redemption was on her mind as they march into this year’s Grand Prix.

Sure, Hurley was replaced by Katherine Bell down the stretch, but their hunger and their ultimate objective of winning the title still remains the same.

“Of course, it feels amazing,” she said. “Last season left a bitter taste in my mouth so it’s awesome when you set a goal and you work hard every single day and it finally paid off. It’s a great feeling for all of us.”

Delos Santos added that they are still in a bed of roses a day after that dramatic win.

“We’re still not yet over that (victory). It makes us hungrier even more,” he said as his team basks in an avalanche of glorification, flattery and admiration it truly deserves.

Finally, the Blaze Spikers are back on top.

And they vowed to do everything to stay.