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[av_heading heading=’Foton retains Superliga Grand Prix championship’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Foton Tornadoes remained the queens of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix following a 25-20, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17 win over the Petron Tri-Activ Spikers in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals on Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Reinforcement Ariella Usher led the way with 19 points, on 16 attacks, two blocks and a service ace, for the Tornadoes, which became the first team in the league to successfully defend a crown.
Lindsay Stalzer chipped in 14 markers, while Jaja Santiago contributed 10 points for the Tornadoes, which tied the Tri-Activ Spikers with two PSL titles each behind the RC Cola-Army Lady Troopers, which still boasts the most championships with three.
As reward for ruling the Grand Prix tournament, the Tornadoes has gained a ticket back to the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship, which will be held in Kazakhstan next year.
After dominating the Tri-Activ Spikers in the first two sets, the Tornadoes found themselves in trouble in the third with the score tied at 21-all. The Tri-Activ Spikers forced a fifth set following hits by Serena Warner and Stephanie Niemer.
But the story turned different in the fourth set as the Tornadoes leaned on Stalzer and Santiago to build a 16-10 lead entering the second technical timeout en route to a 25-17 victory.
“Petron is a very good team, but we made some adjustments in the latter part of the game,” said Tornadoes head coach Moro Branislav. “The third set was a problem for us. Fortunately, the team delivered (in the fourth). They responded well to my challenge.”
Niemer finished with 31 points, on 29 attacks, one block and one service ace, while Warner chipped in 10 markers for the Tri-Activ Spikers, which settled with a runner-up finish for the second straight year./PN
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