Cignal is well-equipped to annex a spot in the Final Four of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday.
With a formidable roster, ample rest and a rival still in search of a first win, the HD Spikers are keen on forcing their way over the Gerflor Defenders.
Coach Shaq delos Santos has recognized his wards’ hard work in training, highlighting the importance of their 2 p.m. match at the Philsports Arena in Pasig after a recent victory over the Nxled Chameleons that moved them a win away from securing the last semis seat.
“Alam ko kung gaano nila (HD Spikers) pinaghirapan yung naging training namin,” said delos Santos after his wards trampled the Chameleons in three last Nov. 25 following a tough five-set defeat to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
“Good thing nabawi namin and we were very thankful (sa panalo). Isa na lang yung kailangan namin para sure na kami sa semis,” added delos Santos.
\After a 10-day rest, key players like Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Roselyn Doria Vanie Gandler, Chin Basas, Riri Meneses and ace setter Gel Cayuna are expected to be fresh and in top form as they go for their eighth win in 11 games and join Creamline, Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo in the post-elims play.
But Gerflor, despite missing to score its breakthrough win after blowing a 2-0 set lead to Galeries Tower last Thursday, is determined to spring a surprise and score the elusive win behind Jeanette Villareal, Grace Berte, Menchie Tubiera, Danika Gendrauli, Jenny Gaviola and Jhona Rosal.
Mathematically, Petro Gazz or PLDT, tied at fifth with 6-4 cards, still has a chance to force a tie at fourth as they knock each other out in the 6 p.m. main game of a triple-bill wrapping up the elims phase of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Mikasa, BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, SMART, Rebisco, Milcu, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar.
But Cignal is expected to stamp its class over Gerflor with the HD Spikers’ projected victory to potentially turn the Petro Gazz-PLDT game into a virtual exhibition match.
Like Cignal, Creamline is fancied to get past Galeries Tower at 4 p.m. with the defending champions, who clinched the top seeding in the semis, looking to complete an 11-game sweep.
Choco Mucho, also hot on a 10-game roll for a 10-1 card, has secured the No. 2 spot while Chery Tiggo (8-3) and Cignal (7-3) are battling it out for the No. 3 seat.
The Nos. 1 and 4 teams and the Nos. 2 and 3 squads will clash in a pair of best-of-three series with the winners disputing the championship in another best-of-three playoff.
Games can be streamed on Pilipinas Live and PVL.ph and are telecast on One Sports, One Sports+, and SMART Livestream app.
Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Gerflor vs Cignal
4 p.m. – Galeries vs Creamline
6 p.m. – PLDT vs Petro Gazz