Manabat replaces injured Daquis in Foton roster

Dindin Santiago-Manabat. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Dindin Manabat was tapped to replace injured Rachel Daquis in the Foton Pilipinas which also acquired Italian coach Fabio Mente to steer the team in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Club Championships next month.

The twin announcements were made Thursday night as the entire team was formally named for the Sept. 3-11 meet slated in Binan, Laguna.

Off hand, head coach Fabio Menta said the team “needs more space for development and has been away from Thailand.”

But the veteran coach of Cuba and Bahamas teams said he’s not daunted by the task of coming up with a decent finish in the prestigious meet with only 15 days of preparation.

Menta, who will take over the reins of Foton coach Vilet Ponce de Leon, said the team needs to improve passing from “50 percent to 60-70 percent.”

Manabat completes the team that also includes American imports Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher. She will also be reunited with sister Jaja Santiago who is Foton’s ace middle blocker.