Petron denied Foton a third finals appearance with a thrilling 30-28, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 victory Saturday night in the knockout semifinals of the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Blaze Spikers banked on imports Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley in ousting the defending champion Tornadoes to arrange a best-of-three championship showdown with the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers starting tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan City.
Stalzer and Hurley combined for 43 kills, highlighting their offensive performances late in the first frame to steer the squad from an 18-14 deficit en route to the set win. Stalzer finished with a game-high 25 points while Hurley added 24.
Foton established its prowess in the second, but Petron claimed the third set with its assertive spikes that set the tone going to the fourth.
Petron mentor Shaq Delos Santos lauded his stalwarts’ efforts, particularly in neutralizing Foton’s deadly trio of Sara Klisura, Jaja Santiago and Dragana Perunicic at the net. (Kristel Satumbaga)