Even with their aces playing off the bench, but it hardly mattered for the Foton Tornadoes as it still demolished newcomer Cherrylume Iron Lady Warriors, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17 in the opening salvo of pool play in the 2017 All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“In the first two sets, you saw the new Foton,” Foton head coach Moro Branislav said as the Tornadoes paraded eight new faces.
Out of all their new players, CJ Rosario shone the most, playing consistently in all three sets. The second overall pick in the 2016 PSL Draft finished with six points while Heather Guino-o chipped in six as well.
“As you see, I have eight new players. This is not the same Foton team that you saw last year. This is completely a new Foton team,” furthered Branislav, who guided the Tornadoes to the Grand Prix crown last year.
But with Cherrylume closing in during the second set, 11-12, the Serbian mentor brought in Jaja Santiago and Ej Laure. And the game was never in doubt since as Foton raced to an 18-6 lead over Cherrylume.
Santiago finished the game with nine points, six coming from attacks, a kill block, and a couple of aces.
“We wanted to give Jaja and Maika rest since they came from the national team [Rebisco-PSL Manila]. Also, we want to develop our players and give them confidence for big games ahead,” Branislav furthered.
Skipper Mary Ann Mendez finished with 10 kills and a pair of aces for 12 points while Judith Abil had five markers for the Iron Lady Warriors.
Foton will next face the Generika-Ayala Lifesavers on Saturday, June 10 at 5:00pm. Cherrylume, on the other hand, will only have a day break before facing the Cocolife Asset Managers on Thursday, June 8 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
Foton (75) – Santiago 9, Rosario 6, Guino-o 6, Berte 5, Negrito 4, Laure 3, Ortiz 3, Guliman 3, Doria 2, De Leon 1, Perez 1, Reyes (L), Yongco (L), Opp. Error 32.
Cherrylume (54) – Mendrez 12, Abil 5, Rodriguez 3, Olarve 3, Gabarda 2, Bendong 1, Sta. Maria 0, Manabat 0, Disquitado 0, Lopez 0, Santos 0, Victoria 0, Catindig (L), Clavano (L), Opp. Error 28.
