MANILA, Philippines — Foton recruited another elite blocker after securing the commitment of Genevieve Casugod for the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix starting February 17.
Casugod, the 6-foot-1 national team member, has yet to formally sign the contract, but she already showed up in the Tornadoes’ conditioning workout on Friday.
“Yes, she’s already in training,” said Foton team manager Diane Santiago, adding that Casugod will definitely sign on the dotted lines by next week.
Casugod isn’t the lone newcomer in Foton.
Prior to her signing, Foton recruited head coach Rommel John Abella and Gyzelle Sy from Pocari Sweat as well as Carmina Aganon from Petron.
Abella and Sy are expected to bring their rich championship experience after winning three titles in the Premier Volleyball League while Aganon is also no stranger to big-time games after being part of the historic Blaze Spikers squad that swept the PSL All-Filipino Conference in 2015.
But the signing of Casugod is considered a breakthrough for a team that lost its biggest stars, Jaja Santiago and EJ Laure, to the Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
With Casugod around, the Tornadoes will turn into the league’s tallest team with Maika Ortiz, CJ Rosario and Dindin Manabat manning the middle.
They are also expected to recruit a pair of tall imports who are capable of delivering the points they will miss with the absence of Sara Klisura and Dragana Perunicnic.
“Our middle blockers are already solid. Now, we’re looking for wing spikers who can help our imports,” added Santiago.
“Katarina (Vukamanovic) will be back so we’re basically looking for two imports na lang. It is (Foton team owner) Mr. (Rommel) Sytin who is in-charge of negotiations.”
Santiago said they are looking forward to forming a strong team that will give Petron, F2 Logistics and Cocolife a run for their money.
“We’re working really hard to come up with a strong team.”