Petron, Cagayan seek payback in Super Liga

Games Wednesday:

(Cuneta Astrodome)

2 p.m. – Petron vs Cagayan (W)

4 pm – Cignal vs IEM (M)

6 p.m. – PLDT vs Systema (M)

MANILA, Philippines – Expect emotions to rise and tempers to soar as Petron and Cagayan Valley troop back to the warpath to avenge their bitter setback in the 2014 PLDT Home-Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference volleyball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday.

Action starts at 2 p.m. with the survivor between the Blaze Spikers and the Rising Suns claiming the fifth place in the women's division of this prestigious inter-club tournament supported by PLDT Home DSL and backed by Mikasa, Asics, Mueller Tapes, Jinling Sports Equipment, LGR, Bench and Healthway Medical.

Meanwhile, PLDT-Air Force and Cignal battle separate foes to formally seal their titular showdown in the men's division of this competition organized by Sports Core with Solar Sports as the official broadcast partner.

Unbeaten in seven games, the mighty Power Attackers are expected to overcome their last assignment in Systema at 6 p.m. while the HD Spikers clash with Instituto Estetico Manila at 4 pm, looking to cement their hold on the second spot and gain the right to challenge PLDT-Air Force in the kill-or-be killed championship duel on Saturday.

All eyes, however, are expected to be set on the Blaze Spikers and the Rising Suns, who are still licking the wound created by their heart-crushing setback in the quarterfinals.

Billed as one of the strongest teams after netting the 6-foot-2 Dindin Santiago in the first-ever PSL rookie draft, the Blaze Spikers raced to three consecutive victories before suffering twin losses in the preliminaries that relegated them to a quarterfinal battle against dangerous PLDT Home TVolution.

But luck refused to smile their way.

The Blaze Spikers ran out of gas as the Power Attackers peppered them with relentless attacks and a brilliant defensive strategy to deal them with a shocking 25-16, 21-25, 18-25, 22-25 loss in the quarterfinals, completely dooming their chances at winning their first title after two fruitless conferences.

"Hindi kami naka-adjust sa depensa nila," said Petron coach George Pascua. "So babawi na lang kami sa battle for fifth (place) against Cagayan Valley. May isang laro pa. Doon na lang namin ibuhuhos lahat ng frustrations namin. It's now or never for us."

The Rising Suns also share Pascua's mentality as they treat this game not just a mere classification battle, but an all-out war for pride and redemption.

In fact, after winning only two games in six matches, the seasoned Cagayan Valley was tipped to dominate the younger, inexperienced AirAsia side in the quarterfinals. But the Rising Suns fell prey to the incredible energy of the Flying Spikers down the stretch, leaving them battered in a dramatic 25-16, 25-16, 16-15, 17-25, 13-15 defeat that was witnessed by a sold-out crowd inside the venue and thousands more watching at home.

"Masakit ang pagkatalong 'yun sa amin," said Cagayan Valley coach Nestor Pamillar, who will bank anew on the troika of Angeli Tabaquero, Pau Soriano and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. "Dahil dun, mas pine-pressure namin ang sarili namin na makuha ang fifth place. Kaya dapat mas ayusin pa namin ang atake at reception namin dahil hindi madaling kalaban ang Petron."

Aside from Santiago, Pascua is looking for Mayette Zapanta, Sandra Delos Santos and the charming Gretchen Ho to come up with an impressive performance to somehow give the Blaze Spikers a graceful exit despite another heart-breaking season.