Foton, Petron clash in Superliga

Games Saturday:

(FilOil Flying V Center)

2:30 p.m. – Amy’s vs Generika

4:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Standard Insurance-Navy

6:30 p.m. – Petron vs Foton

MANILA, Philippines – After displaying its fearsome form, Foton guns for another crucial win when it clashes with an equally dangerous Petron squad in the second round of the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Tornadoes seek a share of lead with idle F2 Logistics in the 6:30 p.m. encounter of this prestigious inter-club tourney bankrolled by KLab Cyscorpions, Mueller, Asics and Mikasa with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Generika, meanwhile, battles Amy’s at 2:30 p.m. while Standard Insurance-Navy clashes with Cignal at 4:30 pm in a bid to occupy the top spot of Group B.

Fresh from a thrilling 18-25, 25-15, 25-17, 23-25, 15-9 conquest of powerhouse RC Cola-Army late Thursday, the Tornadoes are looking to sweep their remaining games against Petron and F2 Logistics in the second round to formally capture the top seed of Group A.

The top team will clash with the fourth seed while the second seed will battle the third seed in the sudden-death semifinals. The survivors will then figure in a best-of-three finals showdown starting August 11.

“It’s still a very long way to go,” said Foton coach Villet Ponce-de Leon, who will guide the Tornadoes it their quest for glory in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship from September 3 to 11 at the Alonte Sports Center in Binan City.

Against the Lady Troopers, the Tornadoes were at their best as they took advantage of the absence of Rachel Anne Daquis to wage an all-out war in the second and third sets. Though the seasoned RC Cola-Army managed to stretch the game to a deciding set, Jaja Santiago asserted her dominance in the crucial stretch of the fifth to seal the victory.

Santiago and Rondina finished the night with 19 points apiece to spoil the all-around performance of Jovelyn Gonzaga, who tallied 15 kills, seven blocks and seven digs for a total of 22 points.

Daquis suffered a bone spur on her left heel during a tightly contested first set.

“We came out prepared,” said Ponce-de Leon, who is very familiar with the coaching style of RC Cola-Army and fellow University of Santo Tomas coach Kungfu Reyes.  “We know the importance of this game so we played to the best of our ability.

But against reigning champion Petron, a team licking the wound created by the bitter setback to the Cargo Movers also late Thursday, the Tornadoes are tipped to have a difficult time.

“We simply ran out of gas,” said Petron coach George Pascua, referring to their 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8 setback to the Cargo Movers.  “Things get tough from here. Everybody is serious to win to gain a good spot in the semis.”

Meanwhile, the league formally named Mika Reyes of F2 Logistics as the recipient of the seventh and last golden ticket or the invitation to compete in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in Manila from October 18 to 23.

With Reyes’ inclusion, the local roster is already complete as Gonzaga and Daquis of RC Cola-Army, Jen Reyes and Ces Molina of Petron, Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics and Santiago of Foton already punched their respective slots.

The PSL All-Star team will open its campaign against Rexona Ades of Brazil on October 18 before taking a one-day break. Then, the Filipinas will return to action on October 20 against Pomi Casalmaggiore before squaring off with Eczacibasi VitrA of Italy on October 21.