PSL: Foton routs Marinerang Pilipina, back on track ahead of quarters

MANILA, Philippines–Foton dumped Marinerang Pilipina, 25-15, 29-27, 25-14, to stop a three-game slide in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan.

Sisters Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago scored 16 points each as the Tornadoes ended the preliminary round with an 8-6 record.

“Our service-receive worked well. That has been our problem for the past games. We are good in attacking and blocking but service receive is still the key to win games,” said Manabat.

“Heading into the quarterfinals. Service-receive will still be our focus because when you have a good service receive, attacking, blocking and the rest follow.”

Manabat collected 13 kills, two aces and 11 digs while Santiago had 14 kills and two blocks.

University of Santo Tomas star Eya Laure, who filled in for the injured Maika Ortiz, played sparingly in her PSL debut as she still tries to get herself accustomed to her new team.

Despite winning in straight sets, Foton barely escaped in the second set after losing a 24-21 cushion.

Fortunately for the Tornadoes, Santiago was there to put them at set point before an error doomed the Lady Skippers’ hopes of tying things up heading into the third frame.

Dimdim Pacres and Judith Abil scored nine and eight points, respectively for Marinerang Pilipina, which enters the knockout quarterfinals against top-ranked Petron (13-1) on Thursday.