Focus will be on Cignal when it shoots for its third straight win in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The HD Spikers collide with struggling Generika-Ayala at 7 p.m. following the encounter between Foton and PLDT Home Fibr in the 4:30 p.m. second game of this explosive triple-header that has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.
Meanwhile, former Most Valuable Player Lindsay Stalzer will finally suit up for F2 Logistics when it clashes with United VC in the 2 p.m. appetizer of this women’s club tourney sponsored by Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.
Despite Stalzer’s absence, the Cargo Movers were off to a sizzling start as they posted back-to-back victories to occupy the second spot of the eight-team ranking behind bitter rival Petron, which is playing splendid volleyball as it has yet to drop a set in its first three matches.
Cignal, however, is at the third spot with a 2-1 win-loss card after posting impressive wins over PLDT and Sta. Lucia last week.
Cignal coach Edgar Barroga said their local players like Rachel Anne Daquis, Mylene Paat, and setter Acy Masangkay are now starting to jell with their imports in American Erica Wilson and Azerbaijani Anastasia Artemeva.
In fact, in their 23-25, 25-11, 25-16, 25-23 triumph over the Lady Realtors, Wilson and Artemeva played well at the open spiker position while Paat moved to the opposite spot to give Barroga additional combination.
“That combination led us to a win over Sta. Lucia,” said Barroga, who opted to give Daquis limited minutes to preserve her for the tough grind ahead.
“We’re starting to jell and our local players are already getting used to playing with our imports. It’s a good sign. It means that they are very committed to winning.”
But the Lifesavers are no pushovers.
After a promising start, Brazilian import Nikolle del Rio crashed with an injury, prompting Generika-Ayala to drop their first three matches.
Lifesavers’ coach Sherwin Meneses said her fall only fueled the hunger of his wards, especially local players like Marivic Meneses, Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos, who carried them to a semifinal finish in the All-Filipino Conference last year.
“Nikolle remains doubtful, but the team is getting hungry,” said Meneses, who is tipped to draw significant numbers from Kseniya Kocyigit of Azerbaijan.
“Losing four straight games will somehow affect the morale of the team. We don’t want that to happen. So we’ll do everything and work doubly hard to get into the win column.”