Foton Tornadoes have won their second straight after handling Petron Tri-Activ Spikers in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, and 25-18 in the second round of the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Saturday night at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.
Laure led Foton’s charge with 17 points highlighted by 14 spikes. Rondina scored 15, while Santiago supplied 14.
“Magandang morale booster yan for the team,” said Foton head coach Vilet Ponce-De Leon, after her team went up 2-0 in the second round.
“Ngayon ang ganda ng moral ng mga bata. Even the players can feel their development. Ang gandang pang-boost ng confidence heading into the semis,” she added.
From a 17-all knot in the first set, Petron surged behind Maika Morada, Remy Palma, and Mina Aganon to inch closer in grabbing the set by three, 22-19. But Foton, through Ennajie Laure’s series of attacks, answered back and erased the deficit to go up by a set, 25-23.
Foton displayed consistency in the second canto, which saw them erupt to a massive 18-9 lead. A string of errors from their side, however, allowed Petron to come closer, 22-17, but Jaja Santiago’s quick attacks anchored Foton to claim the set, 25-18, and go up 2-0.
Petron started fiery in the third set, 7-5, but the Tornadoes stormed back behind Laure, Santiago, and Cherry Rondina to take the upper hand, 15-11. From that point, Foton never looked back, outscoring Petron 10-7 to earn a 25-18 victory and the sweep.
In addition to Rondina’s offensive stats, the Tomasina also had 10 excellent digs and 7 excellent receptions.
Nobody in the Petron side scored in double figures. Aiza Maizo-Pontillas led the Tri-Activ Spikers with just eight points.
Foton (2-0) will have their hands full tomorrow, Sunday, July 31, as they will face the mighty F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, who also sports a similar 2-0 slate.
The Scores:
Foton (3) – Laure 17, Rondina 15, Santiago 14, Ortiz 4, Araneta 3, Dimaculangan 2, Macatuno 2, Orendain 1.
Petron (0) – Pontillas 8, Pons 7, Palma 6, Aganon 4, Rosario 3, Morada 2, Nunag 2, Molina 1, Negrito 1.