D’NAVIGATORS and Criss Cross test their mettle in a key duel of unbeaten teams with the former targeting the solo lead in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference and the latter seeking a share of it at the Paco Arena in Manila today (Wednesday).
Tied with the defending champion Cignal HD Spikers at the top spot with four consecutive wins, the D’Navigators are primed to edge ahead in the competition as they take on the King Crunchers at 6 p.m. in a match that promises a stirring mix of styles and brute force.
Francis Saura, the recent Spikers’ Turf Player of the Week awardee, will again lead the charge for the D’Navigators, who are putting emphasis on speed and net defense against the high-octane game of their rivals.
“Need pa namin bilisan saka more on blocking pa, kasi malalakas sa opensa ang kalaban,” said D’Navigators coach Boyet Delmoro.
Spearheaded by Jude Garcia, the King Crunchers are eager to maintain their impressive offensive momentum that has anchored their early surge of three straight victories in the league organized by Sports Vision.
“Maximize lang kung ano yung magandang ginagawa namin. Yung maliliit na bagay importante talaga kasi kailangan simple things doon maguumpisa yung magandang tinatakbo ng team. Kailangan one game at a time,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, PGJC-Navy is also out to extend its winning streak to four following an opening game setback as it faces Savouge Aesthetics, who have dropped two consecutive games after hurdling their first match, at 4 p.m.
“Sabi ko lang sa team wag niyo i-underestimate ang kalaban, kung anong laro niyo ilaro ninyo. Hindi pwedeng dahil ito yung kalaban ninyo, half-hearted lang kayo,” said Sealions head coach George Pascua.
Greg Dolor and Joeven Dela Vega will pace Navy while the Spin Doctors will lean on the duo of Lorenz Senoron and Norwel Sanama.
Games (Paco Arena)
4 p.m. – PGJC-Navy vs Savouge Aesthetics
6 p.m. – D’ Navigators vs Criss Cross