by Kristel Satumbaga
Cignal starts its title campaign while Petron guns for a second straight win when they clash against separate rivals today in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.
The HD Spikers face the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors at 4 p.m. before the defending champions Blaze Spikers tackle the Foton Tornadoes at 7 p.m.
PLDT Home Fibr, which seeks to improve its 1-1 card, and Marinerang Pilipina, which is out to end a three-game slide, raise the curtain at 2 p.m.
Expected to lead Cignal in its bid to better its fourth-place finish last year, is Rachel Anne Daquis, who won last season’s First Best Spiker plum.
Out to provide additional firepower are Jeck Dionela, Janine Marciano and Ranya Musa.
Sta. Lucia can improve its record to 2-2 if MJ Phillips, Rachel Austero, Pam Lastimosa and Joy Dacoron produce significant numbers.
But focus will also be on Petron as it tries to follow-up a 25-21, 25-16, 25-10 opening-game triumph over Marinerang Pilipina.
Aiza Pontillas and Mika Reyes, who combined for 25 points the last time, will continue to lead the Blaze Spikers although they have a deep lineup composed of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons and Ces Molina, to name a few.
Standing their way are sisters Jaja and Dindin Santiago who are eager to improve their 1-2 mark in the tournament bankrolled Team Rebel Sports, SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport.
