Imus City—Petron kicks off its quest for a three-peat, while Foton eyes its second straight win when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference rolls to Imus Sports Center here Thursday.
The Blaze Spikers battle newbie Marinerang Pilipina at 4:15 p.m., while the Tornadoes test the mettle of Generika-Ayala in the 7 p.m. main tiff of this women’s club tourney bankrolled by SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.
Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos parades reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina together with the solid crew of Ces Molina, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes, Bernadeth Pons and Rhea Dimaculangan.
“We have to take care of the dynasty that we worked hard for,” said Delos Santos as his team eyes an unprecedented three-peat.
Meanwhile, Foton is looking to join F2 Logistics on top of the team standings following a convincing 17-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-21 victory over Sta. Lucia late Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Elaine Kasilag led the scoring parade with 20 points while the Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat took turns in manning the defensive end.
Tornadoes coach Aaron Velez said Kasilag stepped up after they have decided that they no longer want to heavily rely on the Santiago sisters for offensive production.
“I don’t want to bank too much on the Santiago sisters. This is a team sport so I told them that we’re not build a star player here, we want to make a star team,” Velez said.
Generika-Ayala, however, is tipped to give Foton a tough challenge after making short work of the Lady Skippers also on Tuesday, 25-18, 25-15, 25-23.
Lifesavers head coach Sherwin Meneses leaned on the airtight defense and equally strong offense end of his core bannered by Patty Orendain, Ria Meneses, Fiola Ceballos, Angeli Araneta, Jamie Lavitoria and libero Kath Arado.
“Generika is a defensive team. They can sustain their energy from start to finish,” said Velez on facing the Lifesavers.
“We have to double time because they already adjusted from their first game.”