AVC Asian club volley starts

BIÑAN CITY—Foton Pilipinas embarks on a mission to go as deep as the semifinals starting today when it takes on Pocari Sweat Hong Kong in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship at Alonte Sports Arena here.

Beefed up by a pair of American slammers and several Philippine Superliga stars, the Tornadoes will bank on homecourt edge as they dare go to where a Philippine team has never gone before.

Gametime is 2:30 p.m., after the tournament’s opening rite at 1:30.

“Hong Kong and any other team will be a big obstacle if we do not perform at blocking,” said Foton Pilipinas’ Italian coach Fabio Menta.

He said defense will be crucial for the Tornadoes, who will be up against clubs with explosive scorers.

Grand of Chinese Taipei and the Malaysian national squad open the hostilities at 11:30 a.m.

Philippine Sports Commission Chair William Ramirez, Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. president Joey Romasanta, Asian Volleyball Confederation honorary life president Wei Jizhong and Rep. Len Alonte-Naguiat head the guest list.

In other matches, Jakarta Elektrik PLN of Indonesia locks horns with Altay VC of Kazakhstan at 5 p.m. and 4.25 Sports Club of North Korea clashes with Sarmayeh Bank of Iran at 7 p.m.

The Tornadoes will be led by Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher together with guest players Aby Maraño of F2 Logistics, Jen Reyes of Petron and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army and Foton’s 6-foot-5 stalwart Jaja Santiago.

Also in the Foton squad are Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculangan, EJ Laure, Cherry Rondina, Patty Orendain, Bia General, Angeli Araneta and Ivy Perez.

TV5 and SMMTV-Thailand are the official television partners while Crimson Hotel is the official residence of this prestigious continental battle.

AksyonTV will air the Foton Pilipinas-Pocari Sweat match live. TV5 will start its broadcast at 3 p.m.