The Foton Tornadoes quickly blazed through and left the Standard Insurance-Navy Lady Corvettes in shambles after a straight-set whipping, 25-11, 25-22, 25-11, at the Batangas Sports Coliseum.
Foton’s 6’6” middle blocker Jaja Santiago towered over the entire Naval fleet and finished with 17 points off 14 hits and three block kills. Santiago’s middle tag team partner, Maika Ortiz, provided nine points, while winger Ej Laure managed eight markers.
“Medyo parang natanggalan kami ng isang tinik,” said Foton head coach Vilet Ponce-De Leon. “Okay naman ‘yung pinakita ng mga bata, aside from the second set na medyo nagkaroon ng konting pag relax pero ‘yun nga sa third set bumawi naman sila.”
The Lady Corvettes could not make up for their severe disadvantage in size and power. Foton served and hit hard, dismantling Navy’s defense with ease. Aside from a spirited second set rally, Navy were unable to muster another magical upset.
“After ng loss namin sa RC Cola we made it a point na ‘yung last two games namin we should not give any stone unturned talagang kailangan idiretso namin ‘yan,” Ponce added.
“Pati ‘yung laro namin i-focus namin na every team is an important game kasi maraming pwedeng mangyari kapag natalo kami.”
Springy opposite hitter Norie Diaz led Navy with eight points, while undersized middle blocker Pau Soriano added six markers.
Foton end the first round with a 4-3 record, while Navy stand in sixth place with a 2-4 slate.
The Scores
Foton (3) – Santiago 17, Ortiz 9, Laure 8, Araneta 6, Orendain 4, Rondina 4, Cerveza 2, Dimaculangan 2, Perez 2, Macatuno 1, Henson 1, Salamagos 1, Acevedo (L), General (L)
Navy (0) – Diaz 8, Soriano 6, Eguia 4, Madulaid 3, Manbayad 3, Martinez 2, Serafica 0, Dela Cruz 0, Sabete 0, Fortuno (L), Ticar (L)
