Foton eyes share of lead in Super Liga vs Smart

MANILA, Philippines — Foton seeks to join idle defending champion Petron at the summit as it goes for its fourth straight victory today against Smart in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center.

The Tornadoes have shown their winning form despite missing Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat for this campaign and look to continue the charge in the 4:15 p.m. duel with the dangerous Giga Hitters (1-1).

“I’m happy but not contended,” said Foton coach Aaron Velez. “Makikita mo naman  sa mga bata na slowly, maganda na yung response. Hopefully as the days go by, magkaroon kami ng rapport.”

F2 Logistics (3-1), meanwhile, aims to get back on track after dropping a 25-22, 16-25, 16-25, 20-25 loss to the Blaze Spikers as it battles winless Generika Ayala (0-3) in the 1:30 p.m. opener.

“We will bounce back,” vowed Cargo Movers’ star Aby Maraño.

Cignal (2-2) hopes to carry the momentum from its 26-24, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 17-15 squeaker over the Lifesavers last Saturday as it takes on Sta Lucia (0-3) at 7 p.m.

The HD Spikers drew stellar performances from Mylene Paat (26) and Rachel Anne Daquis (20 poits, 17 digs, 13 receptions) but coach Edgar Barroga said the rest of the team should step up as well in the tourney that has ESPN5, Aksyon TV and Hyper HD as broadcast partners. 

“We’re happy that Mylene and Rachel are doing everything they can for the team but we also have to remember that everybody should do their part for us to win,” said Barroga, who was the team manager when Cignal captured the Invitational Conference crown last year. “I always tell them that volleyball is a team sport, we can’t always rely on two players.”