Foton Pilipinas alrEady sustained a huge blow before their group match against Vietnam’s Thongtin Lienvietpostbank in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship as high-scoring American import Lindsay Stalzer was unavailable due to back spasms.
With her condition getting worse since yesterday, there is no telling if Stalzer will still play in Foton’s remaining matches.
Instead of feeling pressure to step up, Foton’s other American reinforcement Ariel Usher trusts her Filipino teammates to share the load.
“We’re on the same – we’re all capable, we’re all good players. So there’s no added pressure of having to kill this many balls or get this many points,” Usher insisted. “Of course, I need to do my job. But there’s no pressure from anyone.”
Against Vietnam, Foton tried several adjustments but wound up using a lineup Cherry Rondina in the open hitter slot Stalzer left. The University of Santo Tomas standout managed seven points while Jovelyn Gonzaga and Jaja Santiago pitched in 16 and 13 points, respectively
.Usher poured in 20 points but it was wasn’t enough to overcome the Vietnamese.
“I think we fell in lull. There were things we did good, there were things that went really bad for us.
“It was just a roller coaster for us throughout the game,” Usher said.
Portland native Usher is returning for her second tour of duty in the Philippines after serving as an import for the Cignal HD Spikers in the PSL Grand Prix last year.
It’s the hospitality and warmth of the people that keeps wanting to come back.
“I love it here. The people in Portland are nice and welcoming. It’s the same here in the Philippines – some of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Usher closed.
