Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
4:15 p.m. – Iriga City vs Victoria Sports-UST
7 p.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Lucia
Despite its recent misfortunes, Cignal remains positive it can turn its fortunes around in the ongoing eliminations of the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix.
Not only did the HD Spikers drop three of their last four matches, they will also miss seasoned spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga in their 7 p.m. tussle with the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors today at The Arena in San Juan City.
Gonzaga hurt her right knee after an awkward landing in the second set of their Tuesday match against F2 Logistics.
The 26-year-old opposite spiker was stretchered out of the court and eventually rushed to a nearby hospital for further check up.
Without the national team member, the Cignal lost the match, 25-22, 25-13, 25-12.
Doctors, however, ruled out any fracture on Gonzaga’s knee, but Cignal coach George Pascua is not taking any chances on his prized player and urged her to rest for a while.
“It’s a major challenge for us, but a perfect time as well to challenge ourselves and play as a team. We know that Jovelyn really wants us to keep on fighting,” said Pascua.
They are no 2-4 and unless the HD Spikers recover their magic of old they would exit early in the tournament this time.
To do that, the HD Spikers must double their efforts in all departments after making only 27 attacks, five blocks and three aces in their previous game against their rivals’ 38 kills, 12 blocks and six aces.
Imports Alexis Mathews and Beth Carey are expected to fuel Cignal anew, but more help must also come from local players particularly on Rachel Daquis, Royse Tubino, setter Chie Saet and libero Jheck Dionela.
Incidentally, Sta. Lucia has also been facing the same dilemma as Cignal with the continued absence of Canadian import Marisa Field, who also injured her right knee last week.
But coach Jerry Yee is not dwelling on their predicament and instead, looking forward to bouncing back from their recent straight-set defeat against Foton that skidded them to 1-4.
“We have to move on and focus on what lies ahead of us. Our locals have to step up if we want to get this victory,” said Yee.
Field will be recuperating for two weeks, and Yee is casting his eyes on Janine Navarro and Pam Lastimosa in helping foreign imports Bohdana Anisova and Mar-Jana Philips in steering the team.