JP Torres showed the way and Ranran Abdilla came up with huge hits despite an injured shoulder as PLDT edged Systema, 18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 15-9, at the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday to complete a sweep of the elimination round of the Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Conference.
Torres, a former UAAP MVP with University of Santo Tomas, came up with 15 points, stepping up when ace player Ranran Abdilla had to sit during the middle three sets.
PLDT (8-0) and Cignal (6-2) have earlier arranged a title showdown on July 26 after securing the top two places in the eliminations.
Rodolfo Labrador scored 13, Ron Jay Galang had 12 and Jeffrey Malabanan chipped in with 10 points.
But the injured Adbilla, star of the Philippine team that placed seventh in the Asian Men’s Club Championships, provided the big hits in the endgame, scoring five of his six points in the fifth set.
“Si JP expected ko 'yun sa kanya kasi masipag siya sa practice, nag step up siya kasi si Ranran may sakit at saka limited 'yung kilos niya kasi Ramadan," said PLDT coach Jasper Jimenez.
The Power Attackers had to go through two hours and 27 minutes to complete the win, while its finals rival Cignal had an easy, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21, win over Instituto Estetico Manila in its last elimination-round match.
Christopher Antonio and John Depante finished with 17 points each for Systema, while Chris Macasaet and Patrick Rojas added 11 markers apiece.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
