At the start of the 2016 Philippine SuperLiga All-Filipino Conference, much was expected of the 2015 Grand Prix champions Foton Tornadoes, basing from its composition of highly-skilled players.
Head coach Vilet Ponce-De Leon did not deny this perception.
“Maraming nagsasabi malakas yung team on paper dahil sa mga [past] achievements ng players nung college sila.”
However, it was not a smooth start for the Tornadoes as introduction of new players Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure meant turning a new leaf for the team.
Team captain Angeli Araneta recurred what happened during the first round of the preliminaries. “Siguro, it’s more on adjusting with each other,” she said.
This was evident in their losses against RC Cola–Philippine Army and F2 Logistics. However, Foton made the necessary tweaks in order to change their fate in the following round.
Araneta said, “Every game may kulang. Yung kulang, sa training, yun yung inaayos.”
That is why, come second round, the Tornadoes finally got the much needed wins. Both Araneta and coach De Leon agree that they are slowly getting their groove.
On her part, the former University of the Philippines Lady Maroons skipper feels that “every game may nababago, may naaayos.” She also noted of the improved communication, especially on court.
The 22 year old middle blocker said, “Yung sa loob ng court, andun yung communication.”
Thus, Araneta believes that they are ready to face either of RC Cola – Philippine Army and Petron in the knockout semifinal match next Saturday, August 6.
“We’re ready naman kahit sino. Natalo na rin naman namin sila this round,” she said.
The Foton skipper also added, “sa kin lang, nag-iimprove kami.”
In order to get back into the Finals, Araneta knows that his team must do “more on change sa plays kasi pinag-aaralan rin nila kami.”
Nevertheless, Foton is up to the challenge using their marked improvement both on skills and chemistry as a team.
