Petron, Foton kick off Superliga bid

MANILA, Philippines — Petron takes on Generika-Ayala while Cignal and Foton clash in the other match kicking off the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Boasting of top imports in Serbians Sara Klisura and Katarina Vukamanovic and Montenegrin Dragana Perunicnic, the two-time Foton Tornadoes test the Cignal side’s mettle at 6 p.m. after the 4 p.m. encounter between the Petron Blaze Spikers and the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers.

After ruling the past two editions of the season-ending conference, the Tornadoes are again coming in as heavy favorites with the locals to be led by Jen Reyes, EJ Laure, CJ Rosario and last year’s MVP Jaja Santiago.

“We are prepared,” said Foton coach Moro Branislav, adding that Klisura and Vukamanovic are his former players in a club league in Belgrade while Perunicnic is her personal choice.

But Cignal is tipped to give Foton a tough challenge on a team built around Janine Marciano, Honey Royse Tubino, Paneng Mercado, Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga.

Australian national team skipper Beth Carey, American blocker Alexis Matthews and Japanese libero Mami Miyashita are backstopping the HD Spikers’ bid in the tournament bankrolled by Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller, Grand Sport, Rebisco, Island Rose, Cloudfone, UCPB Gen and Asics.