Foton, Petron rekindle rivalry in PSL semis

MANILA, Philippines – Serbian coach Moro Branislav had seen a lot of battles in his long international career, but there’s no better rivalry at the club level than that of Foton and Petron.

And on Saturday, only one team will be left standing.

Foton renews its storied rivalry with Petron when they clash in the semifinals of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The battle is tipped to go down the wire.

Two years ago, Petron was on the verge of winning its third consecutive title when it ran against a young and aggressive Foton squad.

Bannered by Lindsay Stalzer and Katie Messing, the Tornadoes pulled off a miracle when it knocked down highly favored Petron that had Brazilian sensations Erica Adachi and Rupia Inck as well as local stars Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Marano and Dindin Manabat.

That lost sent Petron to a massive rebuilding process as Daquis went back to Philippine Army, Marano joined F2 Logistics and Manabat took a leave to give way for motherhood.

She joined Foton after giving birth.

The following year, Foton and Petron met again.

Stalzer was back with a new partner in equally powerful Ariel Usher while the Blaze Spikers paraded Serena Warner and Stephanie Niemer.

A dash of drama was sprinkled into the finals showdown as Stalzer reportedly declared on social media that they would dominate Petron. It didn’t sit well with Niemer who vowed to give her best to help Petron reclaim the crown.

But Foton was simply too powerful, too talented to be denied.

The Tornadoes swept the Blaze Spikers with Jaja Santiago delivering a stellar all-around performance to win the Most Valuable Player award.

This year, it’s an entirely different story.

The cast completely changed as well.

Stalzer, Rhea Dimaculangan and Sisi Rondina crossed the enemy lines and joined Petron while Foton acquired three imports that were very familiar to Branislav in Sara Klisura, Dragana Perunicnic and Katarina Vukamanovic to join Santiago and former Blaze Spikers Manabat, Jen Reyes, Ivy Perez, Maika Ortiz and CJ Rosario.

In their first encounter, Petron gained the upper hand, dealing Foton its first – and only loss – of the eliminations, 25-21, 25-22, 12-25, 25-20.

That’s why for Branislav, their semifinal battle is more than just a game – it’s a dramatic collision where pride is at stake.

“Foton likes playing contra Petron,” said the Serbian guru following their 21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-17 quarterfinal victory over Sta. Lucia Thursday.

“This will be a very interesting battle. Unlike in the finals that we have three games, in the semifinals, it’s just one match and you’re out. So we have to give our best contra Petron if we want to defend our title.”

Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos agrees, vowing that their semifinal battle against Foton would be more intense, more dramatic than their two previous finals showdown.

“We know that Petron and Foton have a little rivalry,” said Delos Santos, who was dealt his first heartbreak as a PSL head coach when Foton defeated Petron in the finals last year.

“But as I’ve said, we’re already in the semifinals. Unlike in the finals, we’re in a situation where we can’t afford to lose. We don’t have the luxury to adjust because one lost and we’re out. We have no choice but to play our hearts out.”

Branislav added that at this point, everything should be thrown out of the window because all that matters nothing but their fighting hearts.

He had prepared his Tornadoes well enough for a game like this.

It’s either they win or they go home.