Foton forces final faceoff

SLOWED down in the first set, Foton’s Jaja Santiago rises head and shoulders above the defense of Cha Cruz, Aby Maraño and the rest of F2 Logistics. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.NET

FOTON weathered F2 Logistics’ gutsy charge, the stormy weather and even the venue’s leaky roof to stay alive last night.

Behind Jaja Santiago and Cherry Rondina, the Tornadoes fashioned out an 18-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-18 win to stop the Cargo Movers and equalize the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference best-of-three title series at one game all.

Foton dragged down the pace to eliminate F2 Logistics’ edge in speed, pulled off alternate scoring options in Patty Orendain and Maika Ortiz, and didn’t stall even when the game was halted for 15 minutes to address the leak at Filoil Flying V Centre.

“We know that our opponent will fight to the end, so that’s also become our attitude,” said Foton coach Vilet Ponce de Leon.

The winner-take-all Game 3 will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m.

“Here we go again, we’ve been here, done that,” said De Leon alluding to last year’s Grand Prix where they won the crown via Game 3. “I think the feeling of being in Game 3 will be our advantage.”

Just as Metro Manila was being pounded by heavy rains, De Leon said her Tornadoes were in “aqua-training” at University of Santo Tomas gymnasium which is in the middle of flood-prone Manila.

“We strategized,” she added. “We trained for this. Every player know their roles.”

Ortiz and Orendain certainly did as they scored 13 and 10 points, respectively, helping ease out the pressure on Santiago and Rondina, on whose paths F2 Logistics parked their defense.

Santiago still topscored with 19 points, mostly on quick shots slammed from high above the net, while Rondina added 15 points from the flanks.

The two heated up from the second set onward as F2 Logistics put up a defensive wall against the two prolific scorers immediately in the opening frame.

The Cargo Movers had a total of 15 blocks, five from Ara Galang and four from Kim Kiana Dy.

Foton also improved on its reception, making 22 excellent ones, 11 of them from Bia General.
Rhea Dimaculangan stood her ground in excellent sets, making 36 to hold her own against the always reliable Kim Fajardo of F2, who had 46.

Galang led F2 with 16 points, while Cha Cruz had 11 for the Cargo Movers.