Petron Blaze sails past UVC, extends win run to 5

MANILA, Philippines — Petron Blaze disposed of United Volleyball Club with plenty to spare, 25-12, 25-16, 25-20, yesterday, to extend its amazing run to five victories in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

American Kath Ball celebrated her 26th birthday with a bang and unleashed 17 points including 15 on kills to power the Blaze Spikers to their fifth win in a row and stretch their run without conceding a set to 15 straight.

Stephanie Niemer, the other half of Petron’s awesome duo, glittered  with 18 points for Petron, which gained momentum before facing bitter rival F2 Logistics this Thursday.

Import Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani tallied 13 points while Filipino-American Kalei Mau had 11 hits, including 14 excellent receptions and nine digs, for UVC, which suffered its third loss in six games.

Earlier, Sta. Lucia Realty turned back Foton, 13-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22, to end a five-game slump for its second win.

Casey Schoenlein fired 13 points while Molly Lohman chipped in 12 hits to lift the Lady Realtors to a much-needed win.

“I like it because they played more relaxed. They enjoyed inside the court, which is something that we lost in our previous games. I’m very happy with it,” said Sta. Lucia coach Babes Castillo.

After a sloppy start, the Lady Realtors regained their form and took the next three sets by playing with a lot of energy.

Courtney Felinski had 23 kills, four aces and a block for a 28-point effort while Selime Ilyasoglu and Elaine Kasilag added 15 and nine points, respectively, for two-time champion Foton, which suffered its fifth loss in six games.