Vets, fiery rookies to lead Foton bid in Asian women’s volley

MANILA, Philippines - A mix of veterans and rising stars will anchor the Foton-Pilipinas’ campaign in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship slated in September.

Last year’s MVP Lindsay Stalzer and fellow import Ariel Usher will banner the squad, which includes the country’s leading players, headed by Jaja Santiago, Angelie Araneta, Ivy Perez, Patty Jane Orendain, Fatima Bia General and new recruits EJ Laure and Cherry Ann Rondina.

They will be backed up by Aby Maraño from F2 Logistics, Rachel Ann Daquis from RC Cola and Petron’s Jennelyn Reyes and the rest of the Foton squad – Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculangan, Carol Cerveza, May Macatuno, Kara Acevedo and Danna Henson  – with Alvin Lu as team manager.

Foton management decided to include the entire Foton team, including reserve players, for the additional training opportunity and team bonding with plans to bring the Foton-Pilipinas crew for a week of training and tune-up games in Thailand in August as part of its buildup for the Asian meet.

“I’m very proud of all our players and our three guest players from other teams. When we invited them to join, they didn’t think twice,” said Lu.

Foton earned the right to represent the country in the international women’s volleyball tournament after winning the PSL Open tournament last year.