MANILA – Foton Tornadoes clinched the remaining semifinals seat in the 2018 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix following a 25-22, 25-23, 25-19 victory over Sta. Lucia Realty in the quarterfinals at the San Juan Arena.
Channon Thompson led the way with 26 points, including 24 attacks, while Dindin Santiago-Manabat contributed 11 markers.
The Tornadoes will face F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the best-of-three semifinals.
Both Foton Tornadoes and Sta. Lucia Realty had a tight exchange early in the opening set with Lady Realtors slightly ahead at 16-15.
The game was tied at 22-all before Tornadoes came up with consecutive points from Thompson and Carmina Aganon to take the set.
Lady Realtors were on top early in the second period at 16-13 before Tornadoes had another fight back to come to within 20-21. Thompson and Manabat then rose to the occasion as Tornadoes surged to a 2-0 set lead.
Unlike in the first two sets, Tornadoes waxed not early in the third period to surge to a 12-7 lead with hits from Thompson. Lady Realtors made its last push to come to within 14-18 but Tornadoes came up with an endgame run to claim the win.
“I told the team we should want it more than them,” said Tornadoes head coach Rommel Abella. “I commend the ladies for following our game plan. They showed that they are hungrier than Sta. Lucia.”
Meanwhile, Cocolife Asset Managers weathered a furious late-match rally waged by a crippled Cignal HD Spikers squad to eke out a 25-22, 25-21, 28-26 victory and move to the semis.
Serbian imports Marta Drpa and Sara Klisura were simply impressive while Erika Alkuino delivered the match-clinching block that sent the Asset Managers to the Final Four./PN
