By Adrian Murilla
MANILA -- The Foton Tornadoes sustained their blazing start as they deposed the Smart Giga Hitters in straight sets, 26-24, 25-15, 25-19 in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at the Fil Oil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Foton is now tied with the Petron Blaze Spikers at the top of the standings with 4-0 slate apiece while the Smart drops to a 1-2 card.
The Blue Energy squad, led by middle blockers CJ Rosario and skipper Maika Ortiz, got their acts together to go toe-to-toe with the young Giga Hitters.
Arianne Mae Layug accidentally went down after a hit, but a major injury was ruled out.
Aiko Urdas took care of Smart's run to inch closer and eventually tied the game at 24 each. courtesy of Jerrili Malabanan's hit. A pair of errors by the Giga Hitters gave Foton the opening set.
A complete domination by Foton followed as they surged to a two-set lead, with Smart unable to set up good plays.
Six unanswered points by Foton gave them their biggest lead of the game at 10, 24-14 finished by Mina Aganon's crosscourt hit.
Foton proved to be the tougher team down the stretch after exchanging points in the first half of the third frame. Aggressiveness in both net and floor defense has been the juggernaut of their team which buckled down to work and frustrated their foes and ending their first straight set win of the conference.
Both teams were almost equal in the scoring department, but the 30 unforced errors by the Giga Hitters spelled the difference compared to Foton's 18.
National University standout Aganon led Foton with 13 points while captain Ortiz added 11 as they were picked as the MVP's of the Match..
Foton (4-0) faces F2 Logistics (3-2) on Thursday at the said venue.
Aiko Urdas and Jerrili Malabanan each managed eight points for Smart. Leading scorer Grethcel Soltones was absent for Smart due to a fever.
Smart (1-2) tries to recover against Cocolife (0-3) also on Thursday.
The Scores
Foton (3) – Aganon 13, Ortiz 11, De Leon 6, Adorador 5, Rosario 5, Layug 3, Fabay 2, Sy 1, Perez 0, Yongco 0, Reyes (L)
Smart (0) – Malabanan 8, Urdas 8, Sta. Rita 7, Carandang 6, Latigay 5, Nabor 4, Macabalitao 1, Singh 1, Cayuna 0, Villegas 0, Eroa (L), Pantone (L)
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