Foton Pilipinas in must-win

BIÑAN, Laguna — Foton Pilipinas needs a miracle when it plays with powerhouse Ba’yi Shenzheng of China in the sudden-death quarterfinal round of the 2016 Asian Women’s Club Championship Friday at the Alonte Sports Arena here.

Action starts at 1:30 p.m. with the Tornadoes looking to build a defense as solid as China’s world famous Great Wall.

Clashing at 11:30 a.m. are the NEC Red Rockets of Japan and T. Grand of Taiwan while the classification round match between Kwai Tsing of Hongkong and the Malaysian national team is at 9:30 a.m.

Also expected to provide fireworks in the crucial stretch of the tournament is the 4 p.m. showdown between Altay VC of Kazakhstan and Sarmayeh Bank of Iran at 4 pm, as well as the 6:30 p.m. duel between reigning champion Bangkok Glass of Thailand and Thongtin Lienvietpost Bank of Vietnam.

But still, all eyes will be focused on Foton Pilipinas.

After opening the tourney with a rousing straight-set win over Kwai Tsing, the Tornadoes lost a five-set decision to the Vietnamese followed by a three-set setback to the Japanese as American import Lindsay Stalzer was sidelined with back spasms.

Stalzer returned the following day, but her presence was not enough to rally the Tornadoes, leaving them with a heart-breaking straight-set loss to the Kazakhs.