By Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
4:15 p.m. – CSA vs La Salle-Dasmarinas
7:00 p.m. – Petron vs F2 Logistics
Petron seeks to retain the 2018 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference title today when it battles F2 Logistics in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Match is at 7 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers out complete 14-0 sweep of the tournament and a fifth overall crown in the history of the five-year-old league.
Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos hopes for a strong start after struggling in the opening set of their Game 1 win, 25-23, 25-11, 25-17.
Though momentum is on their side, Delos Santos said they have to work harder, knowing how dangerous F2 Logistics is when given an opportunity to dictate the tempo.
“We know they’ll go all out. We know (F2 Logistics) coach Ramil especially in these kinds of situations, so we have to play better this time,” said Delos Santos in Filipino.
Expect the Blaze Spikers tandem of Sis Rondina and Bernadeth Pons to sizzle with their powerful attacks while Mika Reyes is expected to anchor the team’s defense while occasionally providing points.
It’s not a new situation in the finals as far as F2 Logistics is concerned. Having met Petron in the finals four times already, expect the Cargo Movers to fight back and extend the series to a rubber match.
Coach Ramil De Jesus hopes for more firepower from his spikers after none of them finished in double figures in Game 1.
Slowing down Petron’s offense is also a priority, with Aby Maraño and Majoy Baron out to guard the net.
Game 3, if necessary, will be on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Also seeing action in this battle that is bankrolled by Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, Mueller, Bizooku, Isuzu and UCPB Gen with Genius Sports as technical provider are Colegio San Agustin-Binan and La Salle-Dasmarinas, who will collide at 4:15 p.m. in the Collegiate Grand Slam.
