EJ Laure returns for Foton

MANILA, Philippines – Foton is bringing back EJ Laure together with a couple of other standouts in a bid to boost its campaign in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference next month.

Laure, the former University of Santo Tomas star, will suit up for the Tornadoes following nearly a year of absence due to shoulder injury.

Former University of the Philippines aces Marian Buitre and Justine Dorog as well as former University of the East playmaker Laizah Bendong will join Laure in her quest to bring back the glory days of the Tornadoes.

With their arrival, Foton formally parted ways with Gen Casugod, Carla Sandoval, Rainne Fabay and Kathleen Barrinuevo.

Foton is tipped to call for a press conference to welcome the new additions right after the finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament.

“Foton beefed up its roster without touching its core,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid preempting the press briefing.

“This move only shows its willingness to climb back to the lofty spot it used to occupy. We’ll not be surprised if other teams also boost their rosters after the UAAP.” 

The Tornadoes used to be one of the league’s toughest teams.

They won the Grand Prix crown in 2015 and 2016 with Lindsay Stalzer, Katie Messing and Ariel Usher as imports.

But things went sour in the past few conferences, prompting them to change their head coaches from Vilet Ponce-de Leon to Fabio Menta, Moro Branislav, John Abella and Aaron Velez.

In the previous Grand Prix, the Tornadoes fell to seventh place as they changed their Turkish import Selime Ilyasoglu with Spanish Milagros Collar midway in the conference. Their heart and soul — Jaja Santiago — also managed to join them in the latter part of the battle following a long campaign in the V.Premier League in Japan.

“But with EJ back and three more new recruits, things are looking bright for Foton. We hope this could be the start of another great performance from them,” said the source.