Down for the count, Foton on Saturday night stood up against formidable F2 Logistics and displayed the fighting heart that made it a two-time champion in the past.
Foton took its quarterfinal series against the Cargo Movers to a deciding game after scoring a 27-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-12 win on Saturday night.
Jaja Santiago and import Courtney Felinski came up with the hits that told in the stretch as the seventh-ranked Tornadoes set up the do-or-die match against the No. 2 Cargo Movers for Thursday.
“It’s a big win for us, especially coming off an 11-game losing streak and now we still have the chance for the semifinals,” said Foton coach Aaron Velez.
Foton president Rommel Sytin expressed delight in the performance of his Tornadoes, who were given up for lost after that sorry losing streak.
But it won’t be easy for 2015 and 2016 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix champions as the Cargo Movers, three-time champions themselves, are expected to come back strong in the winner-take-all match.
“It’s just a little luck and the big fighting heart of the players,” said Sytin after the thrilling win.
It was the Tornadoes’ third straight win after the tailspin, as the return of sisters Santiago and Dindin Manabat and the arrival of import Milagros Collar continued to boost their confidence.
Santiago, a standout in the Japanese V-League, scored 20 points like Felinski. Collar added 16, while Maika Ortiz had 11.
F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus had earlier warned of a big Foton comeback. But he is expected to make key adjustments in the sudden-death.