Bring out the brooms!
F2 Logistics rampaged past all opposition and won every single set they played to rule the PNVF (Philippine National Volleyball Federation) Champions League.
The Cargo Movers trounced the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22, on Thursday at the Aquamarine Sports Complex to capture the crown.
Kalei Mau made a heroic effort as F2 Logistics made short work of the reigning Premier Volleyball League champions who competed minus Japan-based Jaja Santiago.
A sore Achilles, which forced her to miss the game against Tuguegarao two days ago, did not faze Mau who led the team with attack 16 points to go with 19 excellent receptions and nine digs.
“After nung match namin sa Petro Gazz sumakit yung Achilles ni Kalei kaya hindi ko siya pinalaro sa Perlas. Buti na lang bumaba yung maga kaya nakapag-ensayo pa kaninang umaga,” said head coach Ramil De Jesus.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz rebounded from its stunning loss to a team of high schoolers a day before by beating Tuguegarao-Perlas Spikers, 25-11, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20, to secure the bronze medal.
Instead of being deflated, the Angels were determined to recover from last Wednesday’s five-set defeat at the hands of California Precision Sports that spiked them out of the championship race.
“Our mindset is to bounce back today. In our game last Wednesday, I have nothing to say and that’s why we wanted to bounce back,” middle blocker Ria Meneses said.
One of country’s best in her position, Meneses was in attack mode and went 18-of-31 spikes to finish with 19 points for the Angels.
F2 Logistics, absent from official volleyball competition for almost two years, hardly showed any rust as they made their triumphant return to big-time competition.
The Cargo Movers swept all five games they played as they drew strong play from Mau, Kianna Dy, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron, Aby Marano and Dawn Macandili.
Iris Tolenada was also comfortable as the team’s new setter in place of the injured Kim Fajardo. She had 17 excellent sets and converted four aces from her serves.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat took up the cudgels for the Crossovers in the absence of her younger sister. The team briefly took the lead in the third, 20-18. But errors by Manabat and Mylene Paat allowed F2 to grab the initiative, 21-23. Mau then clinched the match on two attack hits to finish with a flourish.
“Siyempre masaya dahil kauna-unahang liga, nakuha mo yung championship. Maganda sa pakiramdam,” said De Jesus.
Baron, who finished with nine points, was again a stone wall on defense with three of the team’s seven kill blocks. Marano scored on seven attacks and a block. Dy had six attack points which included three blocks.
Dy later earned MVP honors.
