By JEROME LAGUNZAD
Games Today
(Sta. Rosa Sports Center)
1 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron
4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Cocolife
Powerhouse Petron and Cignal dispute the early lead while defending champion F2 Logistics aims to start its title-retention bid on a high note today in the resumption of the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix action at the Sta. Rosa City Sports Center in Laguna.
The Blaze Spikers, coming off a four-set win against Sta. Lucia over the weekend, and the HD Spikers, who swept Cocolife in three sets last Wednesday, will come in with ample confidence and momentum in what promises to be a slam-bang opener at 2 p.m.
Petron, last year’s losing finalist, is expected to draw strength from its resident imports, Americans Lindsay Stalzer, Hillary Hurley and Japanese libero Yuri Fukuda, while getting enough support from top locals Mika Reyes, Frances Molina, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Rhea Dimaculangan.
Cignal, however, is determined to pull off an upset behind the presence of high-flying American reinforcement Jeane Horton and Bosnian Sonja Milanovic who both passed their initial tests with flying colors at the expense of touted Cocolife imports, Serbian Sara Klisura of Serbia and American Taylor Milton, the last time out.
“Yes, I’m familiar with them. They really made a great impression and they are two of the best players here in the league last year,” said Horton of Stalzer and Hurley. “But it’s now a whole new year – it’s the PSL 2018—and Stix is now in town!”
The Cargo Movers, even without the core of two-time defending UAAP champion La Salle, are tipped to gain a fair share of the limelight as they start their quest for back-to-back titles against the Asset Managers at 4 p.m.
Reigning Most Valuable Player MJ Perez and Kennedy Bryan are back in tow while veteran Aby Marano, setter Kim Fajardo and Ara Galang, who was sidelined last year due to a recurring knee injury, are all eager to keep F2 Logistics in strong contention even without collegiate standouts Kianna Dy, Major Baron and Dawn Macandili