Foton will be leaning on Shaya Adorador, Jasmine Nabor, and other former Chery Tiggo players when it debuts in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference in two weeks.
The Tornadoes on Thursday revealed their roster for their pro debut with seven coming from their sister team and the other half are free agents and collegiate standouts.
Adorador and Nabor, who were the key cogs in Chery Tiggo’s maiden PVL title run in the 2021 PVL bubble, will be leading the way for the newest professional club team, which is returning to the volleyball scene after four years.
The pair will be joined by their fellow ex-Crossovers Seth Rodriguez, France Ronquillo, May Luna, Jaila Atienza, and Bingle Landicho.
Adorador started her club career with Foton in 2018. But before she leads the newest PVL team, she will play for the Philippine women’s volleyball squad in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women from June 18 to 25 in Indonesia.
Besides the players from its sister team, the Tornadoes also acquired NCAA Season 98 MVP Mary Rhose Dapol from University of Perpetual Help, who will receive a Special Guest License to play pro volleyball.
Foton also gave an opportunity for free agents Nene Bautista from Army and Bern Flora and Carly Hernandez, who haven’t played in the PVL after BaliPure was disbanded last year.
University of Santo Tomas products Babylove Barbon and Maji Mangulabnan are also turning pro with the Tornadoes as well as Jose Rizal University middle blocker Sydney Niegos.
The team has yet to reveal its head coach for the upcoming midseason tournament.
Foton opens its campaign on June 29, facing Petro Gazz at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Tornadoes are grouped in Pool B, which also features Choco Mucho, Cignal, F2 Logistics, and Farm Fresh.
