Tornadoes, HD Spikers seek reversals in semis

MANILA, Philippines – Ranged against the top seeded Philips Gold, Foton remains optimistic of its chances for a big reversal when they knock each other out in the semifinal round of the Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix women’s volley tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan.

The Tornadoes racked up four straight wins before bowing to the defending champion Petron Blaze Spikers to clinch the fourth and last berth in the semis.

“Just making it to the Final Four brings us to an equal footing with our opponent,” said Foton coach Vilet Ponce de Leon.

“Considering the way we’re performing and seeing Philips Gold’s game towards the semis, I believe it boils down to who wants the win more and the team is up to this challenge,” added de Leon.

For his part, Foton team manager Alvin Lu said he likes his team’s chances against Philips Gold, which stopped Petron in four to clinch the top seeding Monday.

“I have complete faith with my girls and they will do anything to win and reach the finals,” said Lu, who worked out for the transfer of National U stalwart Jaja Santiago and her teammates to the team. “I am sure that our coaching staff will also do all the necessary adjustments for this game to make it all the way to the finals.”

Philips Gold coach Francis Vicente said he’s wary of Foton’s explosive imports in Katie Messing and Lindsay Stalzer and stressed the need for his wards to “stick to our game plan and do those little things that made us successful in the past, like reception and blocking.”

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” said Vicente, who boasts of a talent-laden crew headed by American imports Bojana Todorovic and Alexis Olgard.

Petron and Cignal dispute the other finals berth.

Like Philips Gold, second seed Petron said it won’t take Cignal lightly.

Despite riding the crest of a five-game winning streak before bowing to the Lady Slammers in the final day of the elims, the Blaze Spikers struggled in the early going and dropped a five-setter to the HD Spikers,18-25, 17-25, 25-16, 25-18, 16-14.

“Cignal plays great defense to compliment its good imports, Ariel Usher and Amanda Anderson,” said Petron coach George Pascua, who will bank on Brazilians Erica Adachi and Rupia Inck anew. “We will keep our end-game composure while guarding ourselves against over-confidence. The semifinals is a knockout game. We have to bring our best game if we want to retain the crown.”