Cadiz City—Heavyweight Petron makes its much-anticipated debut when it battles a struggling Foton side in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Tuesday at the Cadiz Arena here.
After ruling the previous Grand Prix, the Blaze Spikers begin their quest for a second title in a row when they clash with the Tornadoes in the 7 p.m. main game of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and SOGO Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.
Prior to that, defending champion Cignal eyes its third straight win when it tackles Sta. Lucia Realty in the 4:15 p.m. opening encounter of this explosive double-header that also has Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.
Another win would put the HD Spikers closer from clinching the lone outright semifinal berth in their group after beating University of the East-Cherrylume and Smart-Army in their first two matches last week.
The Lady Realtors, who turned back Cocolife in four sets last week in Bacoor City, try to utilize their momentum and stop the reigning titlist to force a tie on top of Pool B.
But all eyes will be on the Blaze Spikers, who will be parading the core of Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ces Molina, Rhea Dimaculangan and Remy Palma that won the Grand Prix title early this year.
“This Invitational is very unpredictable because all teams are tough to beat,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“We need to be more prepared every game in. This conference and give our best to show a great competition.”
Delos Santos, who also calls the shots for the women’s national team, will be having more firepower from the returning college stars Sisi Rondina and hometown hero Bernadeth Pons as they try to add more frustration on the skidding Tornadoes.
Foton head coach Rommel Abella is hoping to recover from an alarming 0-2 start after losing to F2 Logistics on opening day and falling short against surprise leader Generika-Ayala in five sets last week.
“Actually, it’s not yet time to push the panic button. We still have a chance although we made the road tougher for us,” Abella said.
Despite a massive recruiting coup that netted Bea De Leon, Shaya Adorador and twins Nieza and Ela Viray to join mainstays Jaja Santiago, Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Maika Ortiz, the Tornadoes still failed to live up to the expectations.
Abella said communication and composure have been their problems.
“Communication and composure were the problems in our first two matches. Especially in our recent lost to Generika-Ayala, we lost our composure. If we want to survive in this tournament, we have to address those factors moving forward.”