MANILA, Philippines - Citing the need to attend to both personal and school matters, Ateneo’s Ella de Jesus will skip the Philippine Super Liga firing off tomorrow but promised to suit up for Foton next conference.
De Jesus, however, said she would still practice with the team to stay in shape.
The Ateneo stalwart, who helped propel the Lady Eagles to a record 16-game sweep of the UAAP women’s volley crown, was drafted by Foton in last week’s rites along with new recruits Angeline Araneta, Pam Lastimosa, Royce Estampa and Jennifer Macatuno,
“She’s definitely a big loss for us. But with the core of our last year’s team plus Araneta, Lastimosa, Estampa and Macatuno, we believe the team remains strong and ready,” said Foton team manager Alvin Lu.
The other former Ateneo stalwarts now with Foton are Dzi Gervacio, Bea Tan and Kara Acevedo.
Meanwhile, another Ateneo player drafted by Foton, Denden Lazaro, has also deferred playing for the team, saying a lot will depend on her schedule since she plans to take up medicine. Foton, however, still retains the draft rights over Lazaro, according to Lu.
Foton sees action against Cignal in tomorrow’s start of PSL hostilities at the MOA Arena.