F2 Logistics made a quick, merciless work of Standard Insurance-Navy as it pulled off a 26-24, 25-16, 25-14 victory in the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Aby Marano and Ara Galang were impressive, but it was Kim Fajardo who provided the spark as she controlled the game from start to finish to carry the Cargo Movers to an easy win in this prestigious inter-club tourney bankrolled by KLab Cyscorpions, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Senoh with TV5 as official broadcast partner.
Marano manned the middle with authority, finishing with eight kills and four blocks for a game-high 12 points while rookie Galang chipped in 10 markers for the Cargo Movers, who conquered their fifth straight win to gain a share of lead with idle RC Cola-Army.
But the day belonged to Fajardo.
The 22-year old La Salle star took charge of the playmaking chore as she registered 29 excellent sets, completely outplaying her counterpart, Janet Serafica, who had only nine excellent sets.
More than that, Fajardo officially became the third member of the prestigious PSL All-Star squad that will see action in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena from Oct. 18 to 23.
PSL president Ramon Suzara and Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. vice president Peter Cayco awarded the golden ticket to Fajardo, who is regarded as one of the brightest young setters in the country today after leading La Salle to the UAAP crown early this year.
“She’s young and overflowing with potential,” said Suzara, a ranking member of the Asian Volleyball Confederation executive council. “An exposure in a high-caliber tournament such as the FIVB Women’s CWC will have a massive impact on her career and to the rise of Philippine volleyball in general. We expect Kim to do everything to make us proud.”
The announcement of the fourth member of the team is set tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Batangas City Coliseum in Batangas City right after the 2 pm battle between F2 Logistics and Petron.
“We’re not yet done,” Suzara said. “We’re still deliberating and discussing about the four other local members of the team.”
Competing against the PSL All-Star team are the world’s best club teams like Rexona Ades of Brazil, Bangkok Glass of Thailand, Volero Zurich of Switzerland, Hisamitsu Springs of Japan, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey and Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus said Fajardo’s selection didn’t come as a surprise as she is known as a quick thinker who never stops working. In fact, against Corvettes, she distributed the ball pretty well to spearhead the Cargo Movers’ well-oiled offensive assault.
“She made the team looked good,” said de Jesus. “She anchored our offense and distributed the ball pretty well, giving Aby, Ara and, to some extent, Mika (Reyes) and Kim (Dy) a lot of easy attacks.”
Veteran Pau Soriano finished with 10 points while Lilet Mabbayad had seven markers for the Corvettes, who fell to fifth spot with a 2-3 win-loss mark.