Powerhouse Petron tests the mettle of an overhauled Foton squad Tuesday to cap a heavy three-game schedule of the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The first serve will be at 7 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers to size up how the retooled Tornadoes could match up with them and derail their bid for a “three-peat” in the midseason tournament.
Newcomer Marinerang Pilipina, meanwhile, resumes its hunt for a first win and will clash with PLDT Home Fibr in the 2 p.m. opener, even as struggling Sta. Lucia battles Cignal in the 4 p.m. game.
Despite beefing up its roster with quality talents like Marian Buitre, Justine Dorog and Laizah Bendong to help the solid core of Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, Elaine Kasilag and Jen Reyes, Foton has still struggled in the early stages here.
Foton split its first two games against Sta. Lucia and Generika-Ayala before taking a tough 9-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-25 setback to F2 Logistics last Saturday at Imus Sports Center in Imus City, Cavite.
In that match, open spiker Shaya Adorador carried the team, but the Tornadoes failed to draw impressive numbers from other scorers like Santiago, Mina Aganon, Manabat and Kasilag.
Still, Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos will not take Foton lightly.
“They are still contenders, a powerhouse team that has tall players. We cannot let our guards down,” said Delos Santos, who has steered the Blaze Spikers to the All-Filipino throne for the last two years.
Delos Santos said his wards are oozing with confidence after making short work of Marinerang Pilipina in their first match since winning the Grand Prix title last month, 25-21, 25-16, 25-10.
Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas led the Blaze Spikers in that game, firing 12 kills and three blocks for 15 points.