F2 coach bracing for Foton comeback try

MANILA, Philippines – F2 Logistics played like a well-oiled machine when it clobbered Foton in Game One of their Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga best-of-three semifinals series last Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Imports Kennedy Bryan and Maria Jose Perez spearheaded the scoring parade, but it was a total team effort as the Cargo Movers watched the Tornadoes fade down the stretch to move an inch closer from wrapping up the series.

Should they emerge victorious in the crucial Game Two on Thursday, they will book a return trip to the best-of-three finals where they will face the victor in the other semifinal showdown between Petron and Cocolife.

But for F2 Logistics coach Arnold Laniog, the series is still far from over.

“It’s not yet over,” said Laniog, stressing that the Tornadoes will not go down without putting up a serious fight.

“We know that Foton is such an elite team. But they are still adjusting to Jaja (Santiago) and two other local players. We expect them to bounce back and give us a hell of a fight in Game Two.”

Laniog said numbers do not lie.

In Game One, Foton came up with more attacks, 48-39, and blocks, 15-12. The Cargo Movers, however, tallied more aces, 7-9, and capitalized on the 39 errors committed by the Tornadoes.

More than that, no local player emerged with double digit in scoring with Bryan and Perez tallying 15 and 14 points, respectively.

“If you look closely at the stat sheet, it was a perfectly-even match,” said Laniog, adding that things may have been different if not for Foton’s 39 errors.

“That’s why we need to draw more support and aggressiveness from our locals. They have to step up and support our imports because Foton will surely be prepared for Game 2.”

“Game Two will be very interesting. We will surely prepare because Foton is a tough team to beat, especially with Jaja around.