Foton Pilipinas vs Hong Kong. Photo by Marc Reyes/INQUIRER
BIÑAN—Foton Pilipinas turned back the first of the invaders, ripping Hong Kong in straight sets, 25-20, 25-14, 25-10, in its opening game in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s Club Championship Saturday here.
Perpetually energetic spiker Cherry Rondina sealed the win for the Tornadoes with a service ace.
Despite the win, Tornadoes head coach Fabio Menta said the team did not perform to its utmost potential especially when Kwai Tsing led them early in the match.
“It’s still a work in progress, and my grade would be not so high because I want the team to perform at a different level of volleyball,” said Menta. “They [Hong Kong] were playing better than us, but then we found the discipline and we were able to control the game.”
Foton did not utilize imports Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher for much of the game, instead relying on an all-Filipino crew to finish the match off.
Lindsay Stalzer, who only played the first set, is suffering from back pains before the tournament according to Menta.
Usher, meanwhile, played the whole opening set but rested the latter half of the second set making way for Rondina.
Team captain Jaja Santiago led the Tornadoes with 12 points while veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga added 11.
Cheung Man Lee had eight points to lead Kwai Tsing.