Foton fires Abella, names Mabbayad as interim coach

MANILA, Philippines – The three straight losses and failure to advance past the preliminaries had prompted Foton to part ways with head coach Rommel Abella in the ongoing Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference.

A reliable source said Abella received a call from the management, telling him to “take a break” while the Tornadoes are still figuring how to win in the prestigious women’s club tournament.

He never got any word after that as deputy coach Edjet Mabbayad was appointed as interim coach who will call the shots in the Tornadoes’ remaining games in the classification.

“After three straight losses to F2 Logistics, Generika-Ayala and Petron, the management feels that the team is playing below par,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“So they told coach John (Abella) to take a break. After that, they appointed coach Edjet in an interim capacity.”

Hopes are high for the Tornadoes this conference.

Aside from having the towering Jaja Santiago, Dindin Manabat, Gen Casugod and Maika Ortiz, Foton launched a recruiting coup to net Shaya Adorador, Nieza and Jeziela Viray and Bea de Leon to form an explosive team that could give Petron and F2 Logistics a serious fight.

But it didn’t happen as the Tornadoes fared below expectation, losing to the Cargo Movers in the opener before surrendering to Generika-Ayala and Petron to bomb out of the title derby.

In a previous statement, Foton team owner Rommel Sytin admitted that it’s time for them to let Abella go.

“Yes, we appointed Edjet as interim coach,” he said.

“The team is playing at the lowest level and we feel that there’s a need for change.”

Sources said Abella is being lured to return to the rival Premier Volleyball League, where he won three titles with Pocari Sweat.

Although nothing is final, a return stint to the Lady Warriors, who are not being handled by Jasper Jimenez of Philippine Air Force, is strongly being considered, especially after the squad failed to advance in the title series of the Reinforced Conference.

“It’s very possible,” said the source. “Let’s wait for things to pan out.”