Petron nips Mane 'N Tail in Superliga

Games on Wednesday

(Cuneta Astrodome)

2 p.m. – Foton vs Mane 'N Tail (women's)

4 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron (women's)

6 p.m. – PLDT vs Cavite (men's)

STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – Petron overcame a monster effort by Mane 'N Tail's Kristy Jaeckel as it eked out a 21-25, 25-16, 25-21, 29-27 victory Saturday to zoom to the top alongside idle Cignal in the  2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics before an overflowing Sto. Domingo Coliseum crowd here.

Brazilian reinforcement Erica Adachi bucked a fever and facilitated the attack while American Alaina Bergsma and local girls Dindin Santiago and Carmina Aganon delivered the blows in helping the Blaze Spikers nail their second straight win and a share of the No. 1 spot with the HD Spikers.

Adachi, one of the biggest attractions of the league with her charm and superb playmaking, had a match-best 53 excellent sets while contributing eight hits.

Bergsma, a beauty queen on the side, was all over the place as she fired 25 hits, 18 on spikes, three on blocks and four on service aces while Aganon and Santiago scattered 15 and 11, respectively, to neutralize a spectacular effort by the power-hitting Jaeckel, who tied Santiago's 37-hit effort.

Santiago, who arrived Friday along with Aganon after playing a game for PLDT in the Shakey's V-League, accounted for two of Petron's last three points, turning a 26-27 deficit to a 28-27 edge with a pair of kills.

Jaeckel had a chance to keep the Lady Stallions alive but her spike sailed wide, allowing Petron to snare the win.

"We knew what to expect of her (Jaeckel) and we just tried to spread the attack and keep them guessing," said Petron coach George Pascua.

Pascua also lauded Bergsma for giving it all despite playing sick.

"She's just a pro," said Pascua of Bergsma, who is former Ms. Oregan years back in the United States.

Pascua also rued their slow start.

"We were a little bit slow to execute at the start and we had a hard time slowing her (Jaeckel) down," said Pascua.

True enough, Jaeckel went on an attacking display at the start and wowed the packed crowd headed by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson.

But slowly, the Blaze Spikers found a way to limit Jaeckel, who lost steam in the end after a relentless and strong start.

Main 'N Tail fell to 0-2.