Foton handed F2 Logistics first loss as it completed the second round sweep with a rousing 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 victory in the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Tornadoes bucked a lethargic start and outhustled the Cargo Movers in the next three sets to steal the league lead coming into the semi-finals of the club tourney bankrolled by KLab Cyscorpions, Asics, Mikasa and Mueller with TV5 as official broadcast partner.
“Hindi namin iniisip na undefeated sila basta alam lang namin na pareho kami ng standing and we’re fighting for the top spot,” said Foton Head Coach Villet Ponce-De Leon, who came off a 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 win over Petron on Saturday. “Ang goal kasi namin going to this match is to improve kung ano ‘yung nilaro naming kahapon and I’m glad to say na nagawa naman namin.”
Foton lost super rookie Cherry Rondina to right ankle sprain she suffered early in the fourth set after a bad landing and was not able to return in the match. But the other Tornadoes stepped up when it mattered most as Jaja Santiago and Patty Orendain, especially EJ Laure, who subbed in for Rondina and provided the timely hits finishing the match with six points.
“Before siya pumasok sinabi ko lang sa kanya is to step up. We looked at each other in the eye and I know na sinabi niyang ‘yes coach I will,” De Leon praised Laure, who is also celebrating her birthday. “Buti naman maganda ‘yung nilaro niya and very thankful ako sa bata kasi pinakita niya na maaasahan siya.”
Meanwhile, Generika dismantled Standard Insurance-Navy, 25-16, 25-17, 20-25, 25-13 in the first game.
Coming off a rousing 24-26, 25-13, 25-19, 25-14 win over winless Amy’s Kitchen on Saturday, the Life Savers accomplished their grueling weekend assignments for a three-game second round sweep that made them the top seeds in Pool B.
Spikers Ria Meneses, Gen Casugod, Shaya Adorador, and Chloe Cortez combined for 51 attack points as Generika bested Navy’s 33 team spikes.