FOTON struggled a bit without American star Lindsay Stalzer, while Petron went through the wringer and the Tornadoes and Blaze Spikers opened their campaigns on positive notes at the start of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix last Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The two-time defending champion Tornadoes labored against Cignal, 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, a win they accomplished without American reinforcement Stalzer, who is back but this time has brought her act to Foton’s archrival in the Grand Prix—Petron.
Stalzer immediately made a statement and gave Petron 14 hits in the Blaze Spikers’ 25-13, 25-17, 25-19 sweep of Generika-Ayala.
Although Stalzer was no longer an intimidating factor at the net, the Tornadoes managed to shake off what looked like some kinks in their team chemistry. And this time, they had Serbian Sara Klisura to rely on.
Klisura announced her entry to the club league with 27 points on 22 attacks, three kills and an ace.
“I’m happy because our team won. This was a very important game for us,” Klisura said.
Klisura got ample help from reigning Grand Prix Most Valuable Player Jaja Santiago (12 kills, four blocks and three service aces for 19 points) and Montenegrin Dragana Perunicnic (nine points).
“First win is good but no, I’m not happy. We have to improve, from what I’ve seen today, Petron is very strong,” Foton Coach Moro Branislav said.
Stalzer was not Petron’s sole dominant player in the win. The team’s other import, Hillary Hurley, topped all scorers with18 points she hauled from 15 kills.
Japanese libero Yuri Fukuda was also instrumental—as well as locals Frances Molina, middle blockers Ria Meneses and Mika Reyes and setter Rhea Dimaculangan—for Petron.
“I’m very happy on how everyone contributed,” Petron Coach Shaq de los Santos said. “But, honestly, we still have a lot of areas to improve on. The good thing is whoever will be fielded, imports or local players, for sure they will deliver.”
De los Santos, who steered the team to the All Filipino title in dominant fashion last conference, has been tasked to regain the Grand Prix Petron won in the league’s inaugural season three years ago.