MANILA, Philippines — Pinatunayan ng Petron Blaze Spikers na sila pa rin ang reyna ng Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference.
Matagumpay na naidepensa ng Petron ang kampeonato matapos patumbahin ang F2 Logistics, 25-22, 26-24, 25-23 sa Game 3 ng best-of-three finals series kamakalawa ng gabi sa The Arena sa San Juan City.
Bumandera sa naturang tagumpay si setter Rhea Dimaculangan na ginawaran ng Most Valuable Player katuwang sina Aiza Maizo-Pontillas at Bernadeth Pons na nagrehistro ng pinagsamang 24 puntos.
“This is a great Christmas blessing. Honestly, we really never thought of completing a sweep. We know how tough the competition is and winning all of our games will be very impossible. So instead of eyeing a sweep, what we did was to prepare hard everyday, give our best and respect our opponents,” ani Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos.
Hangad sana ng Blaze Spikers na mawalis ang kumperensiya.
Subalit naharang ito ng Cargo Movers nang kunin ang Game 2 sa pamamagitan ng 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 panalo.
Bukod kina Dimaculangan, Maizo-Pontillas at Pons, malaki rin ang kontribusyon nina Mika Reyes, Remy Palma, Ging Balse-Pabayo, Frances Molina, Pia Gaiser, Chloe Cortez, Angel Legacion, Sisi Rondina, Mela Tunay, Ria Duremdes at Jasmine Alcayde sa tagumpay.
Hindi man nakumpleto ang inaasam na sweep, lubos na lubos pa rin ang kasiyahan ng Petron na pinatunayang isa ang kanilang tropa sa pinakamabangis sa liga.
“This is a total team effort. This victory will not be impossible without the support of the players, coaches and staff. This crown means a lot. It’s going to be a very merry Christmas for all of us,” ani Delos Santos.
Itinanghal na Best Opposite hitter si Maizo-Pontillas habang ang iba pang awardees ay sina Mylene Paat ng Cignal (Best Scorer), Rachel Anne Daquis at Patty Orendain (Best Outside Hitters), Ria Meneses at Majoy Baron (Best Middle Blockers), Kim Fajardo (Best Setter) at Kath Arado (Best Libero).