PVL: Foton settles for 11th place in first pro campaign
Foton Tornadoes in the PVL Invitational Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Shaya Adorador delivered 22 points as Foton claimed the 11th place after beating Gerflor, 26-24, 13-25, 25-21, 26-24, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
Adorador helped the Tornadoes finish their first pro campaign on a high note with 17 kills, three aces, and two blocks to go with 13 excellent receptions.
Foton blew a 24-21 lead in the fourth set as Gerflor saved three match points capped by Andrea Marzan’s block on Mary Rhose Dapol to tie the frame. Nene Bautista came to the rescue for the Tornadoes with back-to-back hits to end the two-hour game.
Seth Rodriguez also stepped up with 13 points including a game-high four blocks. Bautista had nine points, while Dapol and setter Jasmine Nabor scored seven markers each with the latter also dishing out 10 excellent sets as Foton had two wins in six games.
Foton coach Brian Esquibel and Shaya Adorador after ending their Invitational campaign with a win. #PVL2023
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Wednesday, July 19, 2023
“I offer this win to my coaches because if not for them, I won’t be here and I won’t be able to show the skills that I have,” said Adorador, who was transferred from sister team Chery Tiggo to Foton in the midseason.
“I will bring this experience for our next training and matches. I will trust myself more,” she added.
Foton coach Brian Esquibel hopes to build on their first PVL experience if the management will still participate in the next conference.
“We will bring this experience and we will do better if ever we will be fortunate that Foton will still be part of the league,” said Esquibel in Filipino. “This is a confidence booster for our players. It was a good experience for them.”
Gerflor banked on Alyssa Bertolano and Justine Dorog, who had 15 points each. The PVL rookie also protected the floor with 19 excellent receptions and 16 digs.
Ranya Musa and Ethan Arce were also instrumental for the Defenders combining for six of the team’s 11 blocks and finishing with 12 and 11 markers, respectively, only to finish their debut PVL tournament winless in five matches.
