A RARE four-game bill, featuring all eight teams, marks the return of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference today (Wednesday), promising day-long volleyball action at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Unbeaten Criss Cross and defending champion Cignal look to move a step closer to semifinal berths, while the rest of the field aim to either strengthen their playoff chances or keep their hopes alive in the tightening race brought about by Sunday’s postponed matches due to Typhoon Uwan.
The day’s highlight will be a clash of experience and youth as the league-leading Criss Cross King Crunchers face the FEU-DN Steel Tamaraws at 5 p.m., while the Cignal Super Spikers take on the UST-Gameville Golden Spikers at 3 p.m.
Holding a 4-0 record, Criss Cross will pin its hopes anew on veterans Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, and Kim Malabunga as the King Crunchers try to take a step closer to the semis. A victory over the 1-3 Tamaraws would move the team to the brink of a Final Four berth, which could be sealed outright depending on other results in the day’s packed schedule.
FEU-DN Steel, on the other hand, will bank on its youthful core of Dryx Saavedra, Luis Miguel, and Lirick Mendoza, though another loss would virtually end their semis hopes in the tournament organized by Spikers’ Turf and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Meanwhile, Cignal (4-1) can also move closer to a semis slot – or even secure it outright – with a win against UST-Gameville. The Super Spikers will again rely on the trio of Jay Rack Dela Noche, JP Bugaoan and Louie Ramirez for a strong performance in the crucial matchup.
The Golden Spikers, with an impressive 3-1 mark, are likewise eager to keep pace with the league leaders. A win today would put them just behind Criss Cross and tighten their grip on a semis seat, with Josh Ybañez, Edriel Alabar and Al-Bukharie Sali expected to lead the charge.
In other games, Savouge Aesthetics (3-2) opens the quadruple-header against winless PGJC-Navy (0-4) at 10 a.m., followed by Alpha Insurance (2-2) battling VNS (0-4) at 1 p.m.
