Sweet victory: Petron bags Grand Prix championship

Petron Blaze Spikers’ Katherine Bell fires one over the defense of F2 Logistics Cargo Movers’ Kim Fajardo, Aby Maraño and Maria Jose Perez. TIEBREAKER TIMES

MANILA – Petron Blaze Spikers ended its three-year thirst for a Philippine Superliga Grand Prix title after a 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18 victory over F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.

Katherine Bell led Petron with 28 points, on 25 attacks and three blocks, while tournament MVP Lindsay Stalzer added 24 points, on 20 attacks, three aces and a block, in the do-or-die Game 3 Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“This is such a sweet victory. Finally, we’re back on top,” said Blaze Spikers head coach Ceseal Delos Santos. “After three conferences ng Grand Prix, nakakuha rin ako ng championship so sobrang happy. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko i-explain iyong feeling.”

Blaze Spikers only managed runner-up finishes in Grand Prix the past three years – twice losing to Foton Tornadoes and last year, to Cargo Movers.

Both teams exchanged points early in the first set with Blaze Spikers slightly up 16-14. Blaze Spikers slowly created distance with conversions from Bell, Stalzer and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to take the set.

Cargo Movers was ahead early in the second set but Blaze Spikers clawed its way back to force an 18-all deadlock. Stalzer and Mary Remy Palma then converted shots for Blaze Spikers to surge to a 2-0 set lead.

After losing the third set, Blaze Spikers opened the fourth frame with a 12-2 lead but Cargo Movers answered to come close 14-17 before Blaze Spikers came up with a finishing run from Bell and Stalzer to capture the crown.

Venezuelan import Maria Jose Perez finished with 19 points while American Kennedy Bryan and Ara Galang had 12 markers each for the dethroned champions Cargo Movers./PN

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