Silay City – F2 Logistics moved closer to a first-round sweep after making short work of Sta. Lucia, 25-15, 25-14, 25-21, in the second stop of the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Spike on Tour at the Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center here.
Filipino-American Kalei Mau was at her best, piercing the Lady Realtors’ defense with time hits to tow the Cargo Movers to their sixth straight win in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.
Mau delivered 14 points off 10 kills and three aces while Ara Galang had 11 markers for the Cargo Movers, who displayed their championship form early on that left the Lady Realtors struggling to keep up.
Skipper Aby Marano also had an impressive performance with 10 points laced with two blocks and an ace while Michelle Cobb delivered 20 excellent sets to compliment the 19 digs of Dawn Macandili.
The Cargo Movers have a golden chance of sweeping the first round when they face rookie team Marinerang Pilipina next Thursday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
“As I’ve said before, we’re not after the record in the elimination round because it will have no bearing in the playoffs,” said head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“All we’re looking to get and develop here is our confidence heading into the quarterfinals where any team can be knocked out regardless of the record and the placing.”
Despite the lackluster performance in the first set, the Lady Realtors actually gained steam in the second set, giving the Cargo Movers a scare with a 13-12 lead before being caught by a suffocating 12-1 closeout.
Although Sta. Lucia also managed to go neck-and-neck in the third set as it inched closer to within a point, 20-21, F2 Logistics proved to be just too much to handle as Mau and Galang unleashed a strong finishing kick en route to the impressive win.
No player scored in double figures for the Lady Realtors, who absorbed their fifth straight setback to slide to the bottom of the standings with a 1-5 win-loss card.
Rachel Austero and MJ Philips paced the attack with five markers apiece.
