MANILA – Foton Tornadoes boosted its quarterfinals bid in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix after a 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-20 victory over Generika-Ayala Lifesavers at the Batangas City Sports Center.
Channon Thompson led the way with 27 points – on 20 attacks, six service aces and a block – while Dindin Santiago-Manabat added 14 points (10 attacks, three blocks and an ace) for Tornadoes.
The Saturday night victory allowed Tornadoes (5-4 win-loss) to cling to the third spot in the standings and secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals along with league-leaders Petron Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (both 8-1).
“This is a good win because we already have the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals,” said Tornadoes head coach Rommel Abella. “We just don’t know whether we’ll end up No. 3 or 4.”
After a close win in the opening set, Tornadoes struggled to put away Lifesavers early in the second period until it turned a 16-12 lead into an 8-point spread on hits by Thompson and Manabat.
After losing the third set, Tornadoes bounced back in the fourth with a 16-11 start on hits by Elizabeth Wendel. Lifesavers managed to force a tie 18-all but clutch hits from Manabat and Thompson clinched the win for Tornadoes.
Meanwhile Cocolife Asset Managers survived a record-breaking 56-point explosion from Gyselle Silva to escape with a 25-23, 25-21, 27-29, 19-25, 16-14 victory over Smart Giga Hitters.
It was such a historic night for Silva but, in the end, it wasn’t enough as Sara Klisura tallied 30 kills, two blocks and three aces for 35 points for Asset Managers, which improved to 6-3. Giga Hitters fell to 0-9./PN
