Cignal and Savouge Aesthetics collide in a crucial showdown for the second semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, while UST-Gameville aims to continue its giant-killing spree against unbeaten Criss Cross on Friday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Tied at 4-2, the Super Spikers and the Spin Doctors enter their 5 p.m. duel in a deadlock, each desperate to secure the coveted spot in the next phase of the tournament, with only two playdates left in the single-round preliminaries.
Their clash promises another high-powered and emotional battle, a fitting highlight in the four-match bill featuring semis hopefuls and those clinging to their last chances at making the Final Four.
A loss for either Cignal or Savouge could prove costly, as Alpha Insurance (2-3) lurks close behind and is capable of stealing the last semis ticket should it sweep its last two outings in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things and Arena Plus.
“Sabi ko sa kanila ilalaban namin kasi iisa lang naman ang goal eh. Lagi kong nireremind sa team ko isang word lang – ano ba ang goal? Ang word lang nila ay ‘semis,’ so kapag ganon kailangan namin paghirapan,” said Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon, underscoring the team’s all-or-nothing mindset.
Meanwhile, UST-Gameville (4-1) hopes to sustain its momentum after a stunning upset of Cignal last Wednesday. But the Golden Spikers face a tough challenge in the 1 p.m. opener against the unbeaten Criss Cross King Crunchers (5-0) – the first team to clinch a semis berth.
Behind the explosive tandem of Josh Ybañez and rising opposite Al-Bukharie Sali, UST-Gameville aims not only to secure a semis slot but also to hand Criss Cross its first defeat before joining the Alas Pilipinas training pool for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
“They know what’s in store for them with the win, or kaya yung consequence if we lose our matches. Kasi our goal is to play in the semifinals, so we need more wins,” said UST-Gameville head coach Odjie Mamon, emphasizing focus and consistency.
The semis round will be further intensified by the entry of guest squads Kindai University (Japan) and ProVolley Academy (Australia), whose inclusion promises an even more competitive and international flavor to the race toward the finals.
At 3 p.m., Alpha Insurance begins its backdoor bid against winless PGJC-Navy, looking to bounce back from an upset loss to VNS that complicated its Final Four. To stay alive, the Protectors must sweep their remaining games, including their Sunday duel with the King Crunchers, and hope that their set and points ratios surpass those of the other contenders.
Earlier in the day, eliminated teams VNS and FEU-DN Steel aim for a measure of pride and momentum as they clash in the 10 a.m. curtain-raiser, both targeting a second victory before wrapping up their campaigns.
