F2 Logistics swept Cocolife, 25-12, 25-22, 25-20, to clinch the last semifinals berth with a twice-to-beat advantage in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan City.
The Cargo Movers flirted with disaster after taking a two-set lead as the Asset Managers pushed them to their limits in the third set but Cha Cruz-Behag came to the rescue providing the crucial blows late in the frame to complete the straight-sets win in 90 minutes.
Majoy Baron topscored with 13 points off 12 attacks and a block, while Behag, who scored two of the last five points in the third set, delivered 11 hits built on nine kills, a block and an ace including a great defensive effort with 16 excellent digs out of 19 attempts.
F2 Logistics will take on third-seeded Generika-Ayala in the semifinals on Tuesday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
The Cargo Movers head coach Ramil de Jesus admitted that he wasn’t satisfied with the third set performance of his team as he checked in a few second stringers.
“First two sets happy, maganda nilaro sa first set, second set madaming unforced errors pero nung third set yung iba di nakasabay sa galaw ng starters,” De Jesus said. “Medyo alanganin sa third set kasi parang di magkakakilala sa loob. Naninibago lang siguro.”
The Cargo Movers blew a 17-11 lead in the third set as the Asset Managers unleashed a 7-1 run highlighted by Arianna Angustia’s back-to-back aces and Kalei Mau‘s three hits to tie the set, 18-all.
F2 Logistics stopped the bleeding getting a 21-18 breather as De Jesus’s video-challenge on foot fault was successful cancelling Gyra Barroga’s spike. Behag scored back-to-back points and Kim Fajardo nailed a drop ball for a 24-20 lead before Justine Tiu’s attack was denied by the net and Cocolife’s semis hopes.
Mau was the lone bright spot for the Asset Managers with 10 points including 13 digs and nine excellent receptions as Cocolife only triumphed once out of 10 preliminary round games before succumbing to F2 Logistics in the knockout quarterfinals.