THE CHEMISTRY is there already.
Foton Pilipinas, made up of the core of the Lady Tornadoes and four players from different Philippine Superliga squads, is sharpening its cohesion ahead of the big event.
The Filipinos finally test their mettle against the region’s finest club teams in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Club Championships starting Sept. 3 at Alonte Sports Center in Biñan, Laguna.
Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher will arrive next month to reinforce Foton, and team manager Alvin Lu said he is confident their imports can easily jell with the locals.
He said the international experience of Aby Maraño of F2 Logistics, Jen Reyes of Petron, and Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis of RC Cola-Army should boost Foton Pilipinas’ confidence in the tournament.
“We are taking our participation here very seriously and we believe that the addition of these four veterans will be a big help to our players, considering all four have played in previous editions of the tournament,” said Lu.
He had earlier predicted the side to reach the semifinals and improve on the Philippines’ best finish of seventh place last year.
Coach Vilet Ponce de Leon expressed confidence in her team and in the training program she put in place last month.
Maraño said they had no problem jelling with their Foton teammates.
“We were all instantly comfortable playing with one another,” she said. “It is more on adjusting to the plays, but that’s not difficult, too.”
Gonzaga said the local side’s lower ceiling could be a factor but vowed to make up for it with their fighting heart.
“Some teams have more solid foundations because of the long time they have been progressing in the sport,” she said.
For Daquis, sharing her vast experience to her younger teammates will be her main goal. “I will try to be the ate (older sister) to the team,” said the 28-year-old spiker.