Tornadoes register second straight win

MANILA, Philippines — Previously struggling Foton finally regained its fiery form, dispatching listless Marinerang Pilipina in three sets, 27-25, 25-15, 25-20, for its second straight triumph in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Malolos Convention Center.

Save for a sloppy 27-25 escape act in the first set, the Tornadoes had no problem dominating in the succeeding frames, taking a 25-15 and 25-20 set victories to complete a sweep of the Lady Skippers in just 74 minutes of play behind a combined effort of Jaja Santiago and Elaine Kasilag.

Both delivered 12 points apiece with the 6-foot-5 Santiago making it on eight kills and four blocks while Kasilag providing eight attacks, two service aces and two blocks.

Maika Ortiz also contributed 11 points while Dindin Santiago Manabat and Marian Buitre chipped in seven markers apiece for the Tornadoes who, at one point of this All-Pinoy tourney, were reeling on a three-game slide.

But after getting out of the slump with a four-set win over PLDT last week, Foton finally gained footing with this second win in  a row to finally move into .500 with a 3-3- mark nearing the end of the first round.

“It was a good win for us. We can start to build a momentum from this win,” said head coach Aaron Velez.

Meanwhile, expansion team Marinerang Pilipina failed anew to get its breakthrough win, absorbing its fifth straight loss in as many games to remain at the cellar of the team standings.

Only Judith Abil and Chiara Fermentilla managed to barge into double digits with 10 points apiece.