Foton sixth in tough Thai volley tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Foton Filipinas settled for sixth place in the 2016 Sealect Tuna Thailand Vollyeball League after bowing to 3BB Nakhonnont in four sets, 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 14-25, yesterday at Wi Sommai Stadium in Sisaket, Thailand.

The Tornadoes failed to sustain their charge after taking the opening set as the Thai club wrested control and completed the comeback in their battle for fifth place.

“More tired than determined,” Foton’s Italian coach Fabio Menta said on his Twitter account after the match.

This Philippine side started its Pool A assignments with back-to-back losses to EPA Sisaket, 13-25, 10-25, 18-25, and fancied Bangkok Glass, 20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 18-25, but bounced back with a 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 win over Rangsit University.

The Tornadoes then nipped Kasetsart University, 17-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-16, to get a crack at fifth spot against 3BB Nakhannont.

Foton is gearing for the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Club Championship which the Philippines is hosting next week at Alonte Sports Center in Bi˜Nan.

Foton team manager Jose Mari Angulo said the Tornadoes aim to reach the semis in the Sept. 3-11 AVC tilt.

“That’s the goal. With two premier imports (Lindsay Stalzer and Ariel Usher), four seasoned locals and a bunch of young and aggressive players, I think that goal is very doable,” said Angulo.

Aside from Stalzer and Usher, Foton will be parading Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Jen Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Angeli Araneta, Patty Orendain, Bia General, Ivy Perez, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, Kara Acevedo, EJ Laure, Cherry Rondina and Carol Cerveza.

Foton is bunched with Lien Viet Post Bank of Vietnam and Kwai Tsing of Hong Kong in Pool A.