Foton shocks fancied Cignal in Super Liga

Games Nov. 5

 (The Arena, San Juan)

4:15 p.m. – Philips Gold vs Foton

6:15 p.m. – RC Cola vs Petron

MANILA, Philippines – Foton churned out a near-flawless performance and stunned fancied Cignal, 25-17, 25-19, 25-18, yesterday in the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Banking on their well-balanced attack, the Tornadoes dominated from start to finish to notch their third win in six games heading to the long break in the top inter-club tourney presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Senoh, Mikasa and Mueller as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcaster.

Imports Katie Messing, Lindsay Stalzer and Filipino-American Kayla Williams rammed in 13 points apiece while Jaja Santiago finished with eight hits while providing solid net defense that stymied Cignal’s prolific import Ariel Usher.

Usher notched 22 kills and a block to finish with 23 points for Cignal, which fell to its second straight loss after sweeping the first round.

“They’re already playing as a team because that’s what we lacked in the previous games,” said Foton coach Villet Ponce-de Leon. “I don’t doubt their skills because I know they’re good. It only depends on the execution and blending.”

Although the game was one-sided right at the opening serve, Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar still jumped at the opportunity to use the video challenge system – the league’s brand-new technology wherein coaches can challenge a certain call made by game officials.

Acaylar, in particular, challenged the block-touch call in the early stretch of the first set. After a thorough review by the video challenge crew led by Italian Emmanuel Celle, officials reversed their decision and awarded a point to the HD Spikers.

“We really have to take advantage of this new technology in volleyball,” Acaylar said. “I’m not degrading our officials, but the naked eye can only do so much. I made the challenge, but I first made sure that we didn’t touch the ball.”

The PSL is the first club league in Asia to implement the video challenge system.