Philips Gold eyes semis berth vs RC Cola-Air Force

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Philips Gold will vie for a spot in the semifinals when it duels with struggling RC Cola-Air Force but Foton will try to simplify things going against powerless Meralco Tuesday in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Slammers just got back to winning form after a 25-12, 26-24, 25-19 win over Meralco in Malolos City over the weekend. Another win will ensure their spot in the semis where Petron and Cignal are safely perched.

But it didn’t have to go there if the Tornadoes win over the Power Spikers in the first game. A win by Foton would complete the semis cast and relegate RC Cola and Meralco to the classification rounds.

At 4-3, the Tornadoes can score that fifth win and render the Raiders’ last games useless even if they win them all.

And by the looks of it, Foton won’t have a hard time doing it as it won three straight with its morale at all-time high.

“I think it’s just us getting to know each other better, jelling better as a team,” said Foton import Lindsay Stalzer. “And we’re realizing that we got all the tools to be a great team, we can beat any team in this league i think, and we just beat the best team last week (Cignal).”

Stalzer and fellow American Katie Messing have settled nicely in their roles in the Foton rotation which also has rookie hotshot Jaja Santiago and a bunch of hardworking locals.

Still, Meralco doesn’t have anything left but pride and that could spell the difference in the game.

The core of collegiate bigwig La Salle led by Mika Reyes, Cyd Demecilla and Kim Fajardo, its former stars headed by Cha Cruz, and imports Liis Kullerkann and Christina Alessi simply won’t click at the right time.

Alessi is even a doubtful starter today after hurting her right knee last week.

“We have to guard ourselves against complacency,” said Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente. “All teams are capable of making a comeback, especially RC Cola. They know that the stakes are high and they will do everything to remain in contention. We have to be ready.”