Congratulations Petron Blaze Spikers for winning the 2019 Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix.
This title is significant for a couple of reasons. First, Petron successfully defended their 2018 Grand Prix title. Second, they won back-to-back championships (they also won the 2018 All-Filipino Conference late last year). The last time that a team won two in a row was when Petron took home the Grand Prix and All-Filipino titles as well in 2014-2015.
In this Grand Prix, Petron looked to be a heavy favorite, sweeping the elimination round as well as their quarterfinal and semifinal matches which gave them a 17 match-winning streak. It was then that F2 Logistics did the unthinkable - they shocked Petron in four sets in the first game of the finals. In fact, they were on their way to the title after being up a set and 22-19 up in Game 2 of the finals. Petron however shifted gears and started playing grittier volleyball. They allowed F2 only one more point in a 6-1 run that allowed them to steal that set from F2, 25-23. I felt that the loss of that set, after being just 3 points away from a possibly unassailable 2 set lead, turned the tides and F2 couldn't recover from it. In Game 3, Petron kept their strong form and while the match was very close (so many long rallies and so many great attacks and great digs!), Petron managed to edge out F2 in four sets.
I have to say that I am really happy for Stephanie Niemer. In 2016, Petron were favored to win but Foton beat them. Niemer didn't play in the Superliga again after that until now. Not only does she win the championship with Petron, she also finishes as the Best Scorer and she takes home a very well-deserved MVP Award. Niemer was doing it all, not only in attacking but also in serving, blocking, digging, and receiving. She was just so all-around and so consistent that she was also my choice to win MVP.
Other awardees:
Best Foreign Open Spiker: Katherine Bell (Petron Blaze Spikers)
Best Local Open Spiker: Ara Galang (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Foreign Middle Blocker: Grace Lazard (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Local Middle Blocker: Aby Marano (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Setter: Rhea Dimaculangan (Petron Blaze Blaze Spikers)
Best Foreign Opposite Spiker: Erica Wilson (Cignal HD Spikers)
Best Local Opppsite Spiker: Aiko Urdas (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Libero: Dawn Macandili (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Congratulations, Petron Blaze Spikers and all 2019 SuperLiga Grand Prix individual awardees!
Back to back Champions, Petron #PSLTheGrandFinaleOnESPN5 #FearTheGas #LetsMoveNowhttps://t.co/39sVGsBgcz pic.twitter.com/8qidijqD25— Philippine SuperLiga Volleyball (@SuperLigaPH) May 4, 2019
This title is significant for a couple of reasons. First, Petron successfully defended their 2018 Grand Prix title. Second, they won back-to-back championships (they also won the 2018 All-Filipino Conference late last year). The last time that a team won two in a row was when Petron took home the Grand Prix and All-Filipino titles as well in 2014-2015.
In this Grand Prix, Petron looked to be a heavy favorite, sweeping the elimination round as well as their quarterfinal and semifinal matches which gave them a 17 match-winning streak. It was then that F2 Logistics did the unthinkable - they shocked Petron in four sets in the first game of the finals. In fact, they were on their way to the title after being up a set and 22-19 up in Game 2 of the finals. Petron however shifted gears and started playing grittier volleyball. They allowed F2 only one more point in a 6-1 run that allowed them to steal that set from F2, 25-23. I felt that the loss of that set, after being just 3 points away from a possibly unassailable 2 set lead, turned the tides and F2 couldn't recover from it. In Game 3, Petron kept their strong form and while the match was very close (so many long rallies and so many great attacks and great digs!), Petron managed to edge out F2 in four sets.
Petron Blaze Spikers - your PSL Grandprix 2019 CHAMPIONS! Congratulations once again!— • YEYEFANATICSS • (@yeyefanaticss) May 4, 2019
And to @SuperLigaPH for your yet another successful conference! 💯👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/ghQyiQBii4
I have to say that I am really happy for Stephanie Niemer. In 2016, Petron were favored to win but Foton beat them. Niemer didn't play in the Superliga again after that until now. Not only does she win the championship with Petron, she also finishes as the Best Scorer and she takes home a very well-deserved MVP Award. Niemer was doing it all, not only in attacking but also in serving, blocking, digging, and receiving. She was just so all-around and so consistent that she was also my choice to win MVP.
MVP. Nuff said. @StephanieNiemer #PSLTheGrandFinaleOnESPN5 #PSLGrandPrix #PSLonESPN5 pic.twitter.com/lctNKRSjpz— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) May 4, 2019
Other awardees:
Best Foreign Open Spiker: Katherine Bell (Petron Blaze Spikers)
Best Local Open Spiker: Ara Galang (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Foreign Middle Blocker: Grace Lazard (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Local Middle Blocker: Aby Marano (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Best Setter: Rhea Dimaculangan (Petron Blaze Blaze Spikers)
Best Foreign Opposite Spiker: Erica Wilson (Cignal HD Spikers)
Best Local Opppsite Spiker: Aiko Urdas (PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters)
Best Libero: Dawn Macandili (F2 Logistics Cargo Movers)
Congratulations, Petron Blaze Spikers and all 2019 SuperLiga Grand Prix individual awardees!
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