The real battle begins as heavyweights Petron and F2 Logistics tackle separate foes in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Blaze Spikers clash with lowly Sta. Lucia at 4 p.m. while the Cargo Movers confront Foton in the 6 p.m. featured battle of this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.
After sweeping the 14-game preliminaries, the Blaze Spikers emerged on top, giving them the right to face eighth seed Lady Realtors armed with a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.
On the same note, the Cargo Movers will face the Tornadoes with a similar incentive after wrapping up the preliminaries at the second spot with an 11-3 win-loss record in this battle that also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.
Still, it isn’t enough for F2 Logistics to be confident heading into the quarterfinals.
“I must admit that I really don’t want to face Foton in the quarterfinals. Foton is a very dangerous team. You can’t take them lightly,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, wary of what the Tornadoes can do now that ace opposite Jaja Santiago and middle blocker Dindin Manabat are back from a long stint in the V.Premier League in Japan.
“With Dindin and Jaja back, Foton surely gained confidence. We have to go back to the drawing board and be ready for them.”
True enough, the Tornadoes displayed tremendous improvement with both Manabat and Santiago getting into the groove.
In fact, after suffering a long 11-game drought, the Tornadoes closed the preliminaries with a bang as they clobbered Sta. Lucia and Generika-Ayala in four sets to avoid facing Petron in the next round.
Foton coach Aaron Velez said finishing strong was part of the plan.
“We really wanted to come up with a strong finish,” he said, adding that beating the Cargo Movers twice will be easier said than done.
“We feel that by winning our last couple of games, we will have the momentum going into the next round. I just hope that we can translate that confidence into a victory in the quarterfinals.
Velez said his twin towers – Manabat and Santiago – are in great shape as well as imports Courtney Felinski of United States and Milagros Collar of Spain, who delivered 23 and 21 points, respectively, in their 25-20, 20-25, 25-22, 25-11 win over the Lifesavers late Thursday.
Maika Ortiz, Carmina Aganon, Shaya Adorador, Ivy Perez, Jen Reyes and Elaine Kasilag are tipped to be in fighting form to counter the power of veteran reinforcements MJ Perez and Lindsay Stalzer as well as Aby Marano, Cha Cruz, Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili of the Cargo Movers.