Ariel Usher of Foton over Sydney Jae Kemper of F2. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Foton displayed its full strength against fellow title favorite F2 Logistics to fashion out a 25-18, 25-20, 25-15, Saturday and open its campaign in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball at FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
Tornadoes Jaja Santiago and imports Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher were in their elements, imposing their towering presence against the Cargo Movers who played minus one reinforcement and injured Ara Galang.
So dominating was Foton it allowed coach Moro Branislav to send in new recruit Dindin Manabat in the final moments to reunite with sister Jaja Santiago in the court. The brief reunion thrilled the crowd as they last played together four years ago in National University in the UAAP.
“No it’s not yet our maximum,” said the Serbian mentor when asked to discuss their firepower. “In my opinion we are only 50-60 percent strong. We can still do better.”
That would be scary even to reigning All-Filipino champion F2 Logistics which got 12 points from big-hearted Aby Marano and seven from import Sydney Kemper who just arrived Thursday night.
Dora Spelman is set to arrive Tuesday, according to F2 Logistics camp. Galang is out due to knee injury, that would sideline her for one more week.
Usher exploded with 20 points, while Stalzer had 16. But the most telling was the discipline the Tornadoes displayed all three sets long.
They only committed nine errors throughout, while unleashing 46 attacks. The Cargo Movers could only launch 34 attacks and 17 errors.
Branislav said their time is divided between the ongoing PSL Grand Prix and the FIVB Women’s Club Championships. He is also the head coach of the PSL-F2 Logistics Manila in the Oct. 18-23 meet.