[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Foton, Petron gird for PSL finals clash today’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – The Foton Tornadoes and Petron Tri-Activ Spikers begin their quest for the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix crown when they clash in Game 1 of best-of-three finals tonight at the San Juan Arena.
The crucial match starts at 7 p.m. following the sudden-death battle for 3rd place between the RC Cola-Army Lady Troopers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser.
Tornadoes head coach Moro Branislav said, even though they’ve defeated the Tri-Activ Spikers twice in the elimination round, his players are expecting a tough battle in the finals.
“We have to be at our best against Petron. This is the real battle and we can’t afford to lose this one. This is a game where we have to show our championship form,” said Branislav.
“We know Petron is such a strong team with a lot of experience,” added Branislav. “I’m happy for my team that they finished strong for us (against the RC Cola-Army in the semis) to enter the finals.”
Tri-Activ Spikers mentor Ceseal delos Santos, for his part, is still optimistic of their chances against the Tornadoes as they plan not to rely their offense solely on import Stephanie Niemer.
“Kahit naman sinong team siya (Niemer) naman ‘yung binabantayan sa amin. Sabi ko lang sa setter na kailangan ‘yung distribution ng bola wag predictable,” Delos Santos said.
“Eto ‘yung time na kailangan mas maging solid, mas united ‘yung team, ‘yung puso dapat andun. Lahat kailangan tumulong. Nung crucial moments nakita namin na lahat sila nagkaroon ng unity tsaka yung communication,” he added.
Leading the way for the Tornadoes are reinforcements Ariella Usher and Lindsay Stalzer along with locals Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Maika Ortiz, and Rhea Dimaculangan.
Bannering the Tri-Activ Spikers, on the other hand, are imports Niemer and Serena Warner along with a strong local crew led by Ilonggas Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and April Hingpit, Cherry Nunag and Shiela Pineda./PN
Feel the Game
Bobby Motus
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
