by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Thursday (The Arena, San Juan City)
2 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Sta. Lucia
4:15 p.m. – Petron vs Cignal
7 p.m. – PLDT Home Fibr vs Foton
Foton dug deep from a 0-2 hole in turning back Sta. Lucia, 18-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 15-4, on Tuesday in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at the Bacoor Strike gym in Cavite.
The Tornadoes unleashed a barrage of beautiful combinations particularly in the deciding fifth frame to extend their winning streak to four games and improve their win-loss tally to 5-3 at the start of their second-round eliminations campaign.
Marian Buitre came off the bench to fuel Foton as she posted all her eight attacks, two blocks and five aces in the crucial frames.
Jaja Santiago also sizzled with 22 points built on 14 kills, six blocks and two aces while older sister Dindin Manabat chipped in 13 points.
“We were looking for the right combinations in the first part of the game that’s why we struggled a bit,” said Foton coach Aaron Valdez.
Foton was extra sharp in the deciding set as it cruised to a 6-1 lead courtesy of Santiago and Buitre before padding their lead to 11-2.
Sta. Lucia skidded to its seventh loss in eight matches.
