Superliga coaches vary in finals pick

Philippine Superliga coaches differed in their projection regarding the Grand Prix women’s volleyball best-of-three finals between reigning titlist Petron and surprise contender Foton.

Sammy Acaylar, mentor of fourth-placer Cignal, said Petron is a very strong team not only in manpower but also in top-level experience.

He said the Blaze Spikers will be all the more tougher now that the title is at stake.

But Francis Vicente, mentor of third-placer Philips Gold, said he is leaning on an upset by the Tornadoes mainly because of a formidable frontline led by 6-foot-4 Katie Messing, 6-1 Lindsay Stalzer and 6-4 rookie Jaja Santiago.

RC Cola-Air Force coach Rhovyl Verayo said it’s going to be tightly-contested finals with Foton having the edge because of its imports.

Game 1 of the finals will start at 1 p.m. Thursday at Cuneta Astrodome.

“I’ll go for Foton,” said Vicente. “Their setter is slowly picking up her game to complement the powerful attacks of Jaja and Messing from the middle. Of course, Stalzer will remain their leader. She carried them during the semis.”