Powerhouse Petron and F2 Logistics shoot for their second straight win as they collide with separate foes in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The Blaze Spikers face Generika-Ayala at 7 p.m., while the Cargo Movers tangle with Sta. Lucia in the 4:15 p.m. opening encounter of this exciting triple-header that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.
With super imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell doing the damage, the Blaze Spikers were off to a good start as they crushed PLDT Home Fibr, 25-19, 25-9, 25-10, in their first game in this import-flavored conference backed by Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.
But Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos doesn’t want to take Generika-Ayala lightly.
“It’s going to be a tough game, their spikers, both the imports and the locals, are really good,” he said, noting that the Lifesavers are still capable of winning even with one import following the injury of Brazilian Nikolle Del Rio.
“They might play with just one import but we will expect and prepare for two foreign players.”
Del Rio is listed as doubtful after sustaining a sprained ankle during their match against Sta. Lucia on Saturday.
Lifesavers coach Sherwin Meneses said even with del Rio at the sidelines, his local crew of Marivic Meneses, Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain will still go all out to help Kseniya Kocyvit carry the scoring load.
“We’re one import down and I need them (locals) to step up their game,” he said, adding that Niemer and Bell will definitely draw a lot of support from Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Frances Molina.
“We can’t just rely on the other (import) left. We hope that the injury is nothing serious but we will have to make do of what we have right now.”
On the other hand, F2 Logistics hopes to sustain its momentum when it battles Sta. Lucia in the opener.
The Cargo Movers are playing with just one import in American Rebecca Perry as Lindsay Stalzer is expected to arrive on Sunday from a stint in the Indonesian Proliga.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus pointed out the importance of his mainstays’ respective roles.
“It’s good that we survived this game but what’s important is the next games,” said de Jesus after their win over Cignal, 26-24, 21-25, 25-21, 25-14 late Tuesday.
“It’s hard to play with a limited lineup, we only have one import as of the moment, Cha (Cruz-Behag) and Kianna (Dy) are still recovering from injuries and waiting for the doctor’s clearance to play so I encourage my locals to step up,” he said.