Red-Hot Foton seeks to keep the flame burning when it clashes with Generika-Ayala in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference tomorrow at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Action fires off at 6 p.m. following the battle between Cignal and lowly Sta. Lucia in the 4 p.m. appetizer of this explosive double-header bankrolled by Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.
The Lady Realtors are tipped to march with fire in their eyes after suffering a flattening setback to mighty F2 Logistics last Thursday, 22-25, 3-25, 12-25.
The second set outcome was actually the lowest points ever tallied in the history of this prestigious women’s club league that also as ESPN5 and Kapatid TV5 as broadcast partners.
Despite parading a relatively strong roster, the Lady Realtors continue to bleed with its lone win in nine matches coming at the expense of rookie squad Marinerang Pilipina in the opener.
Still, spotlight will be on Foton.
Towering sisters Dindin Manabat and Jaja Santiago continue to star as the Tornadoes coasted to their fifth straight victory following a 25-21, 25-21, 25-15 win over PLDT Home Fibr also late Thursday.
Manabat delivered a game-high 14 points while Santiago chipped in 10 kills, two blocks and an ace to finish with 13 points to help Foton collect its sixth win in nine matches.
Despite the winning streak, Foton head coach Aaron Velez still refused to get complacent, knowing that the second round will get even tougher.
“We’re satisfied, but we have a lot of things to do,” Velez said.
“We can’t be contended because there are still things that we have to work out as a group for us to win convincingly.”
Velez said the support crew of Elaine Kasilag, Shaya Adorador, Maika Ortiz and Gyzelle Sy have to step up against the dangerous Lifesavers, who handed them their first setback in their first-round encounter.
“I’ll give it to Generika-Ayala for its scrappy floor defense,” he said.
“I think we just have to work double-time, especially our passing that became our problem in the first round. If we have good passing, the rest will follow.”
Generika-Ayala head coach Sherwin Meneses said a win over Foton would bury their three-set defeat to Petron last Tuesday at the Bacoor Strike Gym.
Meneses said he expects to draw inspired performance from Angeli Araneta, Fiola Ceballos, Patty Orendain and Ria Meneses for them to capture their seventh win in 10 games and climb to the third spot of the team standings.
