Revamps and tear-downs are expected of struggling squads.
Which is why the exodus of nearly half of Foton’s 2016 lineup — namely Bia General, Angeli Araneta, Rhea Dimaculangan, Carol Cerveza, and Cherry Rondina — was baffling.
In 2016, the Tornadoes recorded a banner year, reaching the Finals of both PSL conferences and taking home the championship in the Grand Prix. They also campaigned in the AVC Women’s Club Championship, in which they finished seventh.
Foton’s franchise cornerstone, Jaja Santiago, was at the forefront of the success with her Grand Prix MVP award and participation in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship.
On the surface, the Tornadoes seemed like a jolly bunch with their coordinated celebrations and light off-court atmosphere. Which is why the departure of her teammates had shocked Santiago, even though she knew there was already talk of her teammates leaving the team before it actually happened.
“Hindi ‘rin namin alam na ganoon ‘yung mangyayari sa amin after nung championship kasi maganda din naman ‘yung takbo ng team,” Santiago told Tiebreaker Times.
The 6-foot-5 middle hitter recalled the initial talks that had started before the Grand Prix when Foton replaced head coach Vilet Ponce-De Leon with Fabio Menta. Following the AVC tourney, Menta was subsequently let go and Moro Branislav took his place. The Serbian mentor then led the squad to the Grand Prix title. Still, Santiago thinks everyone had their own reasons for moving on.
“Though nagkaroon ng problema noong kalagitnaan bago mag-Grand Prix. Pero, tingin ko, hindi din naman ‘yun ‘yung dahilan kung bakit nagkaganoon. Siguro ‘yung iba talaga kadi gusto na mag-trabaho, makakuha ng experience sa ibang team,” the National University Lady Bulldog shared.
“Nirerespeto naman namin sila kasi desisyon pa rin nila ‘yun. Kami kung ano naman ‘yung matitira, ‘yun naman ‘yung paghihirapan namin at patitibayin namin.
“Nagulat ako siyempre kasi hindi ko naman expected na iiwan nila ‘yung team lalo na ang ganda nung tapos namin. Unexpected na maghihiwalay and lilipat sila ng ibang team,” she continued.
Now without her “sisters”, the 21-year-old trusts Foton management to rebuild the team. Recently, Foton have added Santiago’s former NU teammate Jen Reyes to fill the libero void, and have been able to retain Santiago’s towering sister Dindin Manabat and setter Ivy Perez.
“Ma-mimiss ko siyempre ‘yung kulitan. Sa amin kasi isang hila mo lang, sasama lahat,” she shared. “Kahit sino pa pwede mong biruin kahit senior mo ‘yan, wala lang – as in pantay-pantay. Mamimiss ko talaga sila lahat individually.”
“Pero tiwala naman ako sa management na makakakuha pa din kami ng players and makakagawa nang malakas na team. Siyempre, as a player, kailang ko matuto mag-adjust. Kasama na doon ‘yung sa teammates.”
