Can we just start off with WHAT A MATCH THAT WAS between Petron and F2?
That match happened the way it did because it was a result of F2
Logistics having a short stint in Thailand and Petron came from another WHAT A
MATCH game against Generika-Ayala, which they lost in five sets with set number
four going to extended play.
The Blaze Spikers had some inconsistency
issues, specially with their blocking during the match against the Lifesavers. If that indeed was
the case, then the middles of Petron made a hell of a response in their match
against F2, both on offense and defense. F2’s comebacks are coming up short in
the closing moments of those sets except on the third set. As a result, Petron
had a good week’s rest, making them able to get ready for the semifinals while F2 has to take
the longer road and face Sta. Lucia in the quarterfinals.
Since we’re at it, let us now preview the upcoming matches in the
playoffs of the PSL Invitational 2018.
F2 Logistics vs. Sta. Lucia
It is quite unfortunate that we won’t be able to see a full-strength
Lady Realtors in this conference. Jho Maraguinot and Chin Basas still nursing
injuries and the beach volleyball stars Jacky Estoquia and DM Demontano just
starting to find their groove in their libero duties. Good thing MJ Phillips is
now playing like a full-blown star and Jonah Sabete’s ever improving
athleticism making her attack more dangerous. These factors might give the Lady
Realtors a shot against the Cargo Movers.
In F2’s side in the meantime, we only need two things to know about
this team: their first six? PSL Champion; and their second six? UAAP Champion.
Smart-Army vs. Generika-Ayala
If championships are won through text votes, I’d max my phone’s credit
limit to vote for Generika-Ayala to win it all. I mean… how fun is this team to
watch? They throw their bodies around like they have a higher chance of getting
hurt physically if the ball hit the floor on their side compared to diving to
the floor. They are not the tallest of the teams but their designated blockers
are doing just enough to delay the attacks of the opponents and give the floor
divers a chance to dig those spikes better. On the offensive side, Patty
Orendain and Fiola Ceballos are still jumping out of the building in their
attacks while Bang Pineda now contributing consistently in the offensive end
while never leaving her old job as a libero. Look, just when I tried to talk
about GAL’s offense, it brought me back to their defense. That’s just it!
This quarterfinal match-up might go to five sets (Generika-Ayala have two
five-setters already). Smart-Army is just too smart and too experienced to fall
for GAL’s vaunted floor defense. Ging Balse-Pabayo, Joanne Bunag, and Nene
Bautista for sure have some tricks under their sleeves to try and outmaneuver their
opponent’s defense. In addition, GAL’s defense will be assessed anew; a test
that is named Dim-Dim Pacres.
Cignal vs. Winner of F2/Sta.
Lucia
HD Spikers finally moving on with the temporary loss of Jovelyn Gonzaga
and Janine Marciano in their lineup, thanks to Mylene Paat and a healthy Rachel
Ann Daquis. In addition, Cignal’s improved net defense will surely take some of
the load off Jheck Dionela’s shoulders. They had Sta. Lucia’s number this
conference so they have a pretty good idea on what to do in the semis if the
Lady Realtors make it. Otherwise – F2 advancing to the semis -, this will be their
first true test in their life without their all-injury team members (Jovelyn is
a semi-retired all-injury team member by the way… she’s in her Army training
right now).
Petron vs. Winner of
Smart-Army/Generika-Ayala
Petron never lost a step in their groove since the GP championship. It
looks like Lindsay Stalzer, Katherine Bell, and Yuri Fukuda never left the team
because Ces Molina and company are able to fill collectively the void that the
imports left. Defensively, Buding Duremdes is doing a hell of a job digging attacks,
complementing the good work the blockers are doing. Offensively, they are the
weirdest… their craftiest attackers are the tallest and their strongest spiker
is the smallest. Wait, did I mention that their smallest attacker can hit from
the back row like it is a front-liner attacking?
And I have to say this… Shaq Delos Santos will beat Tai Bundit in the
Most Animated Volleyball Coach In The Philippines Championship. If you are playing
DotA and there’s this one opponent who is so annoying because he knows every
move that your teammates are going to do, and he shouts it out loud, and then
you got distracted and your team lost the clash… that’s him! He’s the annoying
opponent! He’s so noisy, but he reads your team’s every single move, making him
really, really good.
Exciting times ahead for the PSL Invitationals 2018!
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