BIÑAN, Laguna—Foton overcame a sluggish start to run away with an impressive 24-26, 25-19, 25-21,25-15 win over Mane ‘N Tail on Thursday in the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) women’s volleyball tournament All-Filipino Conference at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Pam Lastimosa, Patty Orendain and Angeline Araneta delivered big numbers, lifting the Tornadoes to their third win in four games to tighten their hold on the second spot of this prestigious inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core and backed by Asics, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller Sports Medicine, Via Mare, LGR and Healthway Medical.
Lastimosa nailed 11 kills and four blocks to finish with 16 points while Orendain chipped in 15 markers while providing stability and leadership down the final stretch of the fourth set where Foton raced to an 18-11 lead en route to a convincing victory.
Araneta contributed 13 points, laced by a pair of service aces to underscore the Tornadoes’ well-balanced assault that left the Lady Stallions groping for form, especially in the second and third sets.
“It was expected. We started slow because we haven’t played for quite a long time,” said Foton coach Villet Ponce-de Leon, whose wards last saw action before the Lenten break. “Fortunately, our real performance came out later on. I was very satisfied with how we played and I hope we can still sustain this momentum in the next games to come.”
Foton looked slow and rusty in the first set.
Ahead early on, the Tornadoes suffered numerous errors, allowing the Lady Stallions to trail closely entering the crucial part of the set, 22-24.
Aby Praca, however, scored on a middle attack while Royse Tubino delivered an ace followed by Danika Gendrauli’s spike from the opposite side that helped Mane ‘N Tail seal the victory in the first set, 26-24.
“Fortunately, we stepped up in the second and third sets,” said Ponce-de Leon, who drew another big game from star rookie Nicole Tiamzon and Dzi Gervacio. “I was glad that we have recovered. Medyo mabagal nga lang kasi kulang pa sa ensayo. Although naka-active rest kami, malaking factor pa din talaga yung hindi kami naglalaro.”
Tubino punched 18 kills and three blocks to finish with 22 points while Gendrauli knocked down 15 markers for Mane ‘N Tail, which fell to the basement of the six-team roster with a 1-3 win-loss card together with idle Philips Gold.