Dindin powers Petron to win in Super Liga

Games Sunday (Cuneta Astrodome)

3 p.m. – Cagayan Valley vs PLDT (women)

5 p.m. – Generika-Army vs RC Cola (women)

7 p.m. – Cignal vs Via Mare (men)

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze rode on a spectacular debut by Dindin Santiago as it eked out a come-from-behind 27-25, 23-25, 19-25, 26-24, 15-10 victory over a hardluck PLDT side to seize a share of the early lead with AirAsia in the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay yesterday.

The power-hitting 6-3 Santiago, a collegiate superstar from National U, lived up to her billing as the top overall rookie pick this conference as she unleashed a match best 37 hits including a whopping 36 on kills to lead the Blaze Spikers to a strong start that drew a lot of praises from her coach.

“This game showed why Dindin is the first pick,” said Petron coach George Pascua in Filipino. “We gave all the play to her because she has the advantage of height and skills and she used it all well.”

Carmina Aganon, another rookie pick and a teammate of Santiago at NU, likewise made a good account of herself as she came through with an all-around effort after she scattered 16 hits, 10 on attacks, four on blocks and two via service aces.

Perpetual Help’s Sandra delos Santos and Far Eastern U’s Maika Morada added 12 and 10, respectively, to help in the cause.

The Power Attackers were in control from the start, seizing the first and third sets for a 2-1 set advantage when the efficient tandem of Suzanne Roces and Louann Latigay, who finished with 21 and 19, went on a spiking spree.

And then Santiago took over and a Roger Gorayeb-mentored PLDT squad just didn’t have an answer.

Santiago’s continuous pounding gave Petron an 18-13 lead in the fourth set before the Power Attackers fought their way back to snatch a 23-22 lead thanks to a Roces spike and a Delos Santos error.

Santiago and Aganon responded with a kill each before Roces struck back to knot it anew at 24-all before another Santiago kill and a Morada ace gave Petron the fourth set that tied it at two sets apiece and forcing a decider.

It was all-Petron from there with Santiago delivering the lethal blows including the final point when she uncorked a booming kill straight through PLDT’s blockers.