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Superliga: Petron, F2 Logistics battle for Invitational Conference title

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/26/f2.jpg"/><figcaption>Cha Cruz and the rest of F2 Logistics are looking for payback against Petron. File/Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines—Two of the league&#x27;s top club teams, Petron and F2 Logistics, will face off in the Philippine Superliga finals of the Invitational Conference.Game 1 of their best-of-3 title series is set at FilOil Flying V Centre on Thursday. Opening serve is at 7 p.m.This marks the fourth consecutive time that the Blaze Spikers and the Cargo Movers are facing off in a PSL title series.After surrendering the Grand Prix title to the Cargo Movers last year, the Blaze Spikers fired back by dominating their rivals in the 2018 Grand Prix to claim a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head finals match-ups.&quot;Definitely, it will be a great match-up,&quot; said Petron head coach Shaq delos Santos. &quot;It all boils down to the heart of the players because both teams are good skill-wise and the coaches have their respective game plans.&quot;Petron&#x27;s road to the crown is littered with setbacks, however, as top hitter Ces Molina is expected to see just limited minutes due to a shin injury.The recurring injury, which Molina sustained when she was playing for San Beda in the NCAA, requires her to rest for 3 to 4 weeks. It has effectively ruled her out from joining the national team in its training camp in Japan on August 5 and in the 18th Asian Games.&quot;Ces is hurt, but she&#x27;s ready to go,&quot; said delos Santos. &quot;She&#x27;s a fighter. She knows that this is already the finals, where you have to go out and give everything you&#x27;ve got.&quot;&quot;I&#x27;m sure she will still give her best in this series before sitting out to get some rest and have her injury treated.&quot;Meanwhile, the Cargo Movers are hungry for redemption.With Ramil de Jesus busy piloting De La Salle University to the championship in the UAAP last year, F2 Logistics fell to Petron in the finals of last year&#x27;s Grand Prix. Now that he is back at the helm – and with La Salle&#x27;s stars back in the lineup – the Cargo Movers are determined to get some payback.&quot;The team had its shortcomings in the last Grand Prix,&quot; said de Jesus, who acted as consultant to Arnold Laniog last conference. &quot;If they will not give their full effort and play well, we will get the same result like we had in the Grand Prix.&quot;&quot;If they are thirsty for this title, the players have to show it inside the court,&quot; he added.De Jesus is banking on his nucleus of Cha Cruz-Behag, Ara Galang, Aby Marano and Kim Fajardo. However, they are not counting out Petron, which parades a championship core of Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan, Remy Palma, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons.&quot;The core of Petron has been together for a long time. They are a strong and deep team. They have a very good system,&quot; said de Jesus. &quot;We have to double our efforts, and follow the game plan.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Game 1 of their best-of-3 title series is set at FilOil Flying V Centre on Thursday. Opening serve is at 7 p.m.

Game 1 of their best-of-3 title series is set at FilOil Flying V Centre on Thursday. Opening serve is at 7 p.m.