Foton downs Iriga, extends win run to 4

Reigning champion Foton expectedly trounced Iriga City, 25-10, 25-23, 25-19, Tuesday in the Chooks to-Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Sara Klisura of Serbia and skipper Jaja Santiago powered Foton to its fourth straight win in as many outings as Iriga solely missed the services of star player Gretchel Soltones, who was slapped a one-year ban by the league.

Klisura paced the assault with 10 kills, a block and an ace for a total of 12 points while Santiago contributed 11 points.
“The league and the team owners do not want this to happen to Soltones, but we have to honor and follow league rules,” PSL
President Ramon ’Tats’ Suzara said. “All the PSL players are under contract with their respective squads and they follow our rules. No player is exempt from them.”

Foton head coach Moro Branislav admitted that the Tornadoes relaxed a bit in the second set before they went for the kill in the deciding set.

“We were a little easy in the second set. We relaxed which is very difficult. It was good thing the local and foreign players jelled in the deciding set to win the match,” Branislav said.

Branislav added he was impressed with the performance of local players Maika Ortiz and Ivy Perez, who delivered down the stretch.

Serbian import Tamara Kmezic fired 17 points off 15 kills and a pair of service aces while Japanese Saam Miyagawa had 11 points for the Lady Oragons, who fell to 1-1.