Russians shine as Foton bows out

Games tomorrow (Cuneta Astrodome)

2 p.m. – Petron vs Cignal (W)

4 p.m. – Generika vs RC Cola-Air Force (W)

6 p.m. – PLDT Telpad vs Cignal (M)

BIÑAN, Laguna, Philippines – Russian imports Irina and Elena Tarasova stepped up as Foton took a 25-19, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23 victory over Cignal yesterday in its final game in the Philippine Superliga presented by Asics at the Alonte Sports Arena here yesterday.

Irina nailed 21 kills and had three blocks to finish with a game-high 25 points while Elena knocked down 10 kills and six blocks for 20 points while providing strong net defense, drawing cheers from a loud capacity crowd that came to witness topnotch volleyball live in action for the first time.

The also-ran Foton thus finished the double-round elims with a 3-7 mark and was relegated into the classification battle for fifth place against Mane ‘N Tail on Sunday.

But against the HD Spikers, Foton’s position in the team standing no longer mattered as the Tornadoes played their hearts out from start to finish to fashion out the victory in the inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.

“For us, there’s no such thing as ‘nothing at stake,’” said Foton coach Villet Ponce-de Leon. “Our team was assembled very late. We had a lot of ups and downs. But overall, I’m satisfied with our performance. We play our hearts out every game because we want to give it back to our fans and sponsors.”

After blowing hot and cold in the first three sets, Foton banked on the attacking prowess of the Tarasovas and excellent floor defense of Dona Mae Factor, Patty Orendain and Beatrice Tan to coast to an easy 22-14 lead.

Cignal, however, refused to surrender.

Playing without an injured reinforcement in Lindsay Stalzer, Sarah Ammerman and Honey Royse Tubino carried the fight as the HD Spikers crawled from an eight-point deficit to move closer to within one, 22-23.

But Factor scored off the block before Cherry Mae Vivas committed a costly net error for Cignal after a long and thrilling rally at the net, giving Foton the victory and the needed morale entering its final game of the season.

Ammerman finished with 21 points for the HD Spikers, who are set to face top seed Petron in the sudden-death semifinal game. The winner will advance to the finals against the survivor of the Generika-RC Cola-Air Force semis battle.