Foton escapes RC Cola-Army in Legazpi City
FOTON had the bravest of hearts as it clawed a nail-biting 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 15-7 of the Asics Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Saturday at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City.
The Tornadoes shrugged off a rusty start before Ariel Usher buckled down to business and spearheaded the Tornadoes back to the - rolled by Senoh, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand
Usher, the blonde bomber from Portland, delivered the crucial hits, including the boom exclamation mark on this marathon battle that lasted for two hours and 37 minutes.
The Tornadoes would face the winner of the the league sponsored by Focus Athletics, KLab Cyscorpions, Foton, Petron and F2 Logistics resumed on Thursday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Usher exploded in the third and fourth sets aces for a total of 22 points for the Tornadoes, who started the game on the wrong foot that allowed the Lady Troopers to seize control and gain an early momentum.
Lindsay Stalzer had 14 hits, much to the delight of Foton coach Moro Branislav who “real battle” among four of the best club teams in the country today.
Serbian coach, who is looking to steer the Tornadoes back to the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship that would be held in Kazakhstan next year.
They always play good when they know they’re in a big battle. I have high respect for this team.
True enough, what was tipped to be a cakewalk for the topseed Tornadoes turned into a full-blown war as the Lady Troopers showed up prepared and ready to pull off an earthshaking upset.
sets before threatening as it knotted the count at 18 in the third set. But Usher responded with three straight kills as Foton gained the set point, 24-21, to stretch the match into another set.
It was an all-Foton show from there as RC Cola-Army ran out of gas for a 15-25 setback in the fourth set. The Lady Troopers regrouped and tried to mount a rally in the deciding set waxed hot anew to seal the victory.
attacks, 56-53, Foton still had more blocks, 11-6, and more aces, 10-7, while committing less turnovers, 25-37.
Import Kierra Holst nailed 24 of her 26 points off kills while Jovelyn Gonzaga and Honey Royse Tubino submitted 18 and 15 markers, respectively, for the Lady Troopers, who will vie for the bronze medal against the loser in the F2 Logistics-Petron encounter.