The new-look Foton Blue Energy found their groove late and nailed their second win in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Cup against the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-15, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Foton came back from deficits in the third and fourth sets to clinch the win. The fourth frame featured a 6-0 Foton run that forced a 16-all tie. The Blue Energy then slowly worked their serve, and coaxed errors from Cignal that gave them a 22-18 lead.
The match almost came apart after Cignal head coach Edgar Barroga furiously contested a call and was handed a red card. Sitting in the penalty box, Barroga could only watch as the Blue Energy closed the match after tremendous serves from Gyzelle Sy.
“I think we were able to get back to our system. We’re still trying to figure out how to be consistent. But, I also think na were able to tap our energy and momentum down the stretch. We were always trailing, so I think we took advantage doon sa mga pwesto namin,” said first year Foton head coach Aaron Velez.
CJ Rosario scored a PSL career-high 17 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Mina Aganon added 14 markers to pace Foton.
Rachel Daquis topped Cignal with 21 markers, while Mylene Paat managed 17. The HD Spikers played without Royse Tubino, who attended to a commitment with Army.
Foton (2-0) next take on the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors (0-1) on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Centre. Cignal (1-2) will face the Generika-Ayala Lifeavers (0-1) on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena.
The Scores
Foton (3) – Rosario 17, Aganon 14, Layug 7, Ortiz 7, Adorador 6, Casugod 5, Sy 2, De Leon 1, Perez 0, Yongco 0, Reyes (L)
Cignal HD (1) – Daquis 21, Paat 17, Aguilar 8, Doria 6, Salamagos 5, Vivas 3, Malaluan 1, Masangkay 0, Navarro 0, Sante 0, Dionela (L)
