Open Conference champion Cignal finally gets the chance to flaunt its skill and potential sans former ace spiker Marck Espejo as the seasoned HD Spikers face a young Santa Rosa side in a Pool C clash in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at the Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday.
Even without the player who helped anchor Cignal’s six-title romps in 12 conferences of the country’s premier men’s volley league, the HD Spikers, fresh from a training camp in France and Italy, remain the team to beat with reigning MVP Jau Umandal, Vince Abrot, and Mark Calado expected to more than make up for the absence of Espejo.
The former Ateneo star is currently with the Incheon Jumbos for the 2023-24 season of the Korean Volleyball League.
The Lions of Laguna, meanwhile, will be hard-pressed to bounce back from a straight-sets loss to the Saints and Lattes-Letran side last Wednesday with top playmaker Ish Polvorosa leading their bid, along with Levi de Vera, Harvey Quezada, and Ronniel Rosales.
Gametime is at 5 p.m.
In other matches, EcoOil-La Salle guns for a second straight win against PCU-Saskin at 11 a.m. in Pool B, Chef on a Diet-FEU likewise shoots for another victory in Pool D against Bayleaf at 1 p.m., and Army gears up for a spirited duel with Perpetual-Kinto Tyres at 3 p.m.
The Troopers, who outlasted the Iloilo D’Navigators in five last week, try to lean on their experience and smarts again as they battle the Altas, headed by JC Enarciso and Louie Ramirez, who itching to rebound from a stinging straight-set defeat to the Sta. Elena Nationals last Wednesday.
"Siempre, malakas ang Perpetual. Kung ano yung ginawa naming paghahanda dito sa Spikers’ Turf at sa D’Navigators na nakalaban namin, dodoblehin namin lagi yung preparation para sa mga susunod na makakalaban. Para malagpasan pa ng players yung skills at talent nila ngayon," said Army head coach Melvin Carolino.
Mark Enciso, Benjaylo Labide, and Wewe Medina will banner the Troopers’ drive again in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Bola.TV, Beyond Active Wear, ASICS and Mikasa.
Games can be streamed live on SpikersTurf.ph and Pilipinas Live and telecast on OneSports and OneSportsPlus.
