Photo from SMM Volleyball Facebook account.
AN ALL Filipino Foton Pilipinas assured themselves of at least a sixth place finish after fending off Kasetsart University, 17-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-16, Saturday in the classification phase of the 2016 Sealect Tuna Thailand Volleyball League.
It was the second straight win for the Tornadoes who have the chance to salvage fifth if they win their last assignment Sunday against either Rungsit University or Nakhon Nonthaburi.
Choosing to sit out Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher, coach Fabio Menta shuffled his Filipino crew and tried out several combinations but still ended up as victor at Wi Sommai gymnasium in Sisaket Province, Thailand.
“Our Filipino [players] need to take responsibilities and overcome problems by themselves,” said Menta. “Today, they showed that they are mentally and physically ready to fight for their cause.”
He also benched veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan and for the second straight time and used Ivy Perez for the position to better train her for the coming Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Club Championships.
The tournament is a tune-up event for Foton Pilipinas which will gun for at least a semifinal seat in the AVC Clubs slated Sept. 3 to 11 in Biñan, Laguna.
“I need our two setters to be ready for the AWCC. Together, they need all options and they need to be equally prepared. So they played two games each so far,” Menta said.
Aby Maraño, Maika Ortiz and EJ Laure displayed their stuff against the school team and didn’t disappoint the Italian mentor.
Menta noted the 8 a.m. game time which meant the whole team will have to be up by 5:30 a.m.