PETRON completed a six-match sweep of the group stage with a 25-18, 25-19, 26-28, 25-19 victory over PLDT in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.
Sisi Rondina had 19 points and 22 digs, while Ces Molina had 14 kills, three blocks and an ace for 18 points as Petron secured the top spot in Pool B.
Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Remy Palma had eight points each as Petron set a knockout semifinal showdown with Foton, which finished second in Pool D with a 3-3 win-loss record.
“Happy kami na maganda yung naging performance pero siyempre hindi kami pwedeng masatisfy kung ano yung result kasi tapos na kami doon,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos.
The Blaze Spikers failed to close out the match in straight sets, allowing the Power Hitters to fight back from 17-24 down in the third set.
“Lesson learned sa amin I think kailangan lang namin paghandaan mabuti especially yung mga ganoong sitwasyon. Hopefully matuto pa kami kasi back-to-back yun na nangyari sa amin pero good thing, nakakarecover naman kami,” Delos Santos said.
Grethcel Soltones had 22 points, 20 digs and eight excellent receptions, while Jerrili Malabanan provided six of PLDT’s seven aces and finished with 17 points.
PLDT finished the conference with a 2-4 record. Lance Agcaoili