The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers were looking for adversity, so the Foton Tornadoes gave them more than they could handle
Reeling from their first loss of the season, Foton handed F2 Logistics the same courtesy, slipping by in a tight five-setter, 17-25, 32-30, 25-9, 20-25, 16-14, at the Batangas City Sports Center.
Trading set wins, the Tornadoes had the inside track on the decider after rallying to a 10-5 lead. From there, the match drove into long rally after long rally, allowing the Cargo Movers to force a deuce.
Thw Tornadoes clinched the match thanks to Serbian import Sara Klisura. She broke the deuce with a powerful hit over two blockers, which she followed with a quick, heads-up play to kill an over-passed ball.
“It was a great for my team. Everyone wanted to get this win because it’s important for us to get momentum heading into the quarterfinal,” said Foton head coach Moro Branislav.
Klisura put up a league record 41 points, eclipsing Kristy Jaeckel’s 40 points. Dragana Perunicic added 18 points.
Venezuelan Maria Jose Perez topped the Cargo Movers with 24 points, while American Kennedy Bryan provided 18 markers.
The Tornadoes (6-1) next face the winless University of Santo Tomas Tigresses (0-6) on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre to end their elimination round campaign. The Cargo Movers (6-1) wrap up their own matches on December 2 against the Iriga City Orgaons (2-5).
The Scores
Foton (3) – Klisura 41, Perunicic 18, Santiago 10, Ortiz 5, Perez 3, De Leon 1, Laure 1, Sabas 1, Vukomanovic (L)
F2 Logistics (2) – Perez 24, Bryan 18, Maraño 9, Baron 8, Dy 6, Cruz 3, Santos 3, Fajardo 2, Cheng 1, Macandili (L)