MANILA, Philippines – Petron is the slight favorite when it clashes with defending champion F2 Logistics in the best-of-three Finals of the 2017 Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference that starts Tuesday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Foton head coach Moro Branislav and Cocolife mentro Kungfu Reyes both picked the Blaze Spikers over the Cargo Movers, thanks to their deep bench, vast experience, and strength on both ends of the floor.

Reyes also believes that Mika Reyes, Remy Palma, and Ria Meneses have what it takes to limit reigning UAAP MVP Majoy Baron at the net.

In their first meeting of the tournament, Petron emerged victorious after more than two hours of battle, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-15, 15-9.

"This time, I go for Petron," said Reyes, shortly after steering Cocolife to a fifth-place finish in the conference.

"They have a deeper bench, more matured players, an efficient setter, effective opposites, stable blocking, and a good rotation," he added, listing Petron's advantages over F2 Logistics.

• READ: Cocolife defeats Sta. Lucia for fifth place finish

"Aside from that, their middle blockers can stop the middles of F2 Logistics. So it's going to be a very interesting series."

Cignal coach George Pascua disagrees, however. For Pascua – a former Petron coach who steered the Blaze Spikers to a sweep of the All-Filipino Conference in 2015 – the Cargo Movers' familiarity with each other will play a major role in the Finals.

After all, the core members of F2 Logistics have played together for at least three years, and have already won titles for De La Salle University in the collegiate ranks.

The Cargo Movers still feature virtually the same line-up that dominated last season's All-Filipino tilt, save for Mika Reyes who jumped ship to Petron in the offseason.

"The character and familiarity of the players and coaches are already there," said Pascua. "They have been preparing for this tournament since last year."

"F2 Logistics is younger and more aggressive. They have a more solid blocking and reception," he added.

National women's team coach Francis Vicente, for his part, refused to pick a particular team, saying that whoever is hungrier and plays with more heart will win the crown.

"Both teams have four national players each, so it's evenly matched," said Vicente, who is also the head coach of seventh-placed team Generika-Ayala. "Both have tall rosters, aggressive, and want to win."

"So their chances of winning the crown would all depend on their championship tactics. It's going to be a very tight game," he predicted.

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