De Jesus, F2 wary of Petron comeback in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines – F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus sure knows Petron like the back of his hand.

In fact, he has an idea that Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference is still far from over despite pulling off a thrilling five-set conquest of the Blaze Spikers in Game One.

“Well, Petron is ready to bounce back so we have to be ready any time we’re up against them,” said De Jesus, whose wards banked on a fiery rally down the stretch capped by a pair of hits from Majoy Baron to escape with the victory in the series-opener.

The Cargo Movers and the Blaze Spikers are two of the best club teams in the country today.

They are also bitter rivals.

In fact, this is their fourth consecutive finals battle.

Their first meeting was in the All-Filipino Conference last year where the Blaze Spikers swept the Cargo Movers.

Then, the Cargo Movers avenged their defeat when MJ Perez and Kennedy Bryan powered them to a thrilling win over the Blaze Spikers led by Lindsay Stalzer, Hillary Hurley and Yuri Fukuda in a three-game duel.

In the previous Grand Prix, the tables have turned.

The Blaze Spikers made a drastic move of replacing Hurley with Katherine Bell in the semifinals that prompted them to dominate the Cargo Movers, who were missing the services of de Jesus and the stars of De La Salle University like Dawn Macandili and Kianna Dy.

Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos said their massive meltdown in Game One should not be an excuse to drop their bid for another title.

Instead, they should use it as a motivation, as a springboard, to stretch the series and win the crown.

“We collapsed and lost the momentum. We had our shortcomings,” said Delos Santos, who will bank on the core of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Rhea Dimaculangan, Mika Reyes and Frances Molina anew.

“For us, we have to accept what happened in Game One, move on, be more mature and more ready for the next game.”

Delos Santos said in the end, it’s not about firepower and volleyball prowess anymore.

It’s about hunger and willingness to win.

“Definitely, it won’t be an easy game. Both teams will be all out again and I think it all boils down to the heart, pride and eagerness to win.”

Game Two is set on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.