Tornadoes target top spot sans Jaja Santiago

Foton Tornadoes. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Foton will miss top middle blocker Jaja Santiago for the next two weeks, adding to the Tornadoes’ lineup woes.

Foton coach Moro Brasnilav confirmed that the 6-foot-5 Santiago will fly to Japan and miss Foton’s battle-for-the-leadership match against fellow unbeaten Petron Tuesday in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at Filoil Flying V Center.

Santiago’s absence in the 5 p.m. match would create a void in the rotation, which Brasnilav said has already been affected by the absences of Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure.

“[Santiago] will not play in the next 12 days because she needs to go to Japan for her university commitment,” Branislav said of the National University standout.

Rondina and Laure have likewise been skipping practice due to their commitment with University of Santo Tomas.

“But it’s okay. I know my players would step up,” said Brasnilav, who still has a solid roster led by imports Ariel Usher and Lindsay Stalzer.

Teams in the bottom rung Generika and Cignal clash for win No. 1 at 3 p.m., while RC Cola-Army collides with F2 Logistics at 7 p.m.

With Santiago missing the game, Petron can take advantage of the match-ups upfront with  Stephanie Niemer, Serena Warner, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Cherry Nunag and CJ Rosario at the helm.