Petron targets fourth Superliga title

MANILA, Philippines — The Petron seeks to join Army Lady Troopers on top as the league’s most titled franchise as it clashes with Sta. Lucia at the start of the 2018 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig tomorrow.

Already the second most titled team with three after ruling the 2014 Grand Prix, 2015 and 2017 All-Filipino Conferences, the Blaze Spikers shoot for a fourth crown that will put them alongside the Lady Troopers, who won it in the 2013 Invitational and Grand Prix, 2014 All-Filipino and 2016 Invitational Conferences.

Petron had a chance to accomplish the feat in last season’s Grand Prix but was denied by eventual champion F2 Logistics in a best-of-three finale that went the distance.

Now Petron coach Shaq delos Santos hopes they could get the job done this time.

“It was a heartbreaking campaign last year but we will try again this year,” said Delos Santos.

Petron has tapped Americans Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley and Japanese Yuri Fukuda as well as Chloe Cortez, Luth Malaluan and Pia Gaiser to fill the gap left by Mina Aganon, April Ross Hingpit, Bang Pineda and Marivic Meneses, who have gone on separate ways.

Remaining were Aiza Pontillas, Ces Molina, Mika Reyes and Rhea Dimaculangan.

Game time is at 4 p.m.

The other opening day match up pits Generika against Petron at 2 p.m.

Other teams joining are F2, Cignal HD Spikers, Cocolife and newcomer Smart.