F2 Logistics and Petron renew their storied rivalry when the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference goes full blast today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Cargo Movers looking to come up with another dominant performance after ruling the All-Filipino Conference last month.
Asimple opening ceremony will usher the start of the new conference at 12 noon before Sta. Lucia shoots for its second win in the 2 p.m. first game.
Also gunning for its second win is Cignal when it faces Foton at 6 p.m.
With Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau on board, the Cargo Movers evolved from good to great.
Mau, the former Arizona Wildcat, proved to be the missing piece in the championship puzzle when she carried the Cargo Movers to the title of the All-Filipino Conference last month.
Her solid hits, strong defense and overall leadership perfectly compliment with the kind of plays of Aby Marano, Dawn Macandili, Kim Fajardo, Ara Galang, Kianna Dy and Majoy Baron.
Baron is expected to play inspired game after being named Best Middle Blocker In the first leg of the prestigious ASEAN Grand Prix in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand last week.
But the Invitationals will be a different story.
Petron, for one, is tipped to storm back in this very short tournament following a so-so performance in the All-Filipino Conference.
Head coach Shaq Delos Santos said the shocking loss served as a major lesson so they are planning to go all-out in the Invitational Conference.
“We will do our best to bounce back,” said Delos Santos, who will be marching without the star middle blocker Mika Reyes.
“This is a very short tournament and every game counts. It’s good that we will be facing F2 Logistics early so we can gauge where we are right now against a solid team like them.”
Meanwhile, F2 Logistics’ finals foe in the All-Filipino – Cignal – is also serious to finally claim the crown.
The HD Spikers are looking to start a winning streak behind the heroics of Rachel Anne Daquis and Roselyn Doria, who combined for 23 points in their previous match.
“It was a good start for us, we needed that kinds of morale boost to kick off our campaign,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga. “But we can’t be complacent, that was just the start we still have a long way to go.”
It will be a tough conference for Foton, which bowed to Sta. Lucia, as Jaja Santiago and Dindin Manabat are in Japan playing for Ageo Medics and Kurobe AquaFairies, respectively, in the V. Premier League.
