Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
5 p.m. – Cocolife vs Foton
7 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron
Powerhouse Cignal and Petron clash for the early solo lead today in the Belo-Philippine Superliga Invitational at The Arena in San Juan City.
Match is slated 7 p.m. with the HD Spikers and the Blaze Spikers hoping to follow up their respective opening-day victories last Saturday.
Cignal and Petron are coming off contrasting triumphs, with the HD Spikers surviving a grueling 26-24, 20-25, 26-24, 13-25, 15-9 win over the Foton Tornadoes, and the Blaze Spikers needing straight sets in disposing of neophyte Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21.
But their respective strengths will be put to test this time as both squads boast of a reinforced lineup, particularly Cignal, which acquired Jovelyn Gonzaga, Royse Tubino, and Rachel Anne Daquis from Army.
The trio, for instance, conspired with 34 points in their first match with the HD Spikers.
Apart from the triumvirate, Cignal also has its mainstays Mylene Paat, veteran setter Chie Saet and libero Jheck Dionela to fuel their bid of clinching their first ever title in the league.
“We’re very familiar with Petron and we will use it as our biggest asset,” said Cignal Coach George Pascua, who once guided Petron to a historic 13-0 sweep of the All-Filipino Conference in 2015.
But like Cignal, Petron has boosted its crew with the entry of Mika Reyes, who is expected to join forces with Aiza Pontillas, Rhea Dimaculangan, Ces Molina, and Mela Tunay in bolstering the squad’s bid for a third crown in the league.
Meanwhile, Cocolife and Foton seek to bounce back from opening-day losses when they collide at 5 p.m.
The Asset Managers, also newcomers in the league, succumbed on their first test at the expense of Generika-Ayala Lifesavers, 25-20 25-15, 21-25, 25-16, while the Tornadoes lost to the HD Spikers.
