Expect Cignal to step up its game following its shaky opening-day win over VNS as it faces a tougher test against Alpha Insurance on Wednesday when the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference moves to the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Super Spikers and the Alpha Insurance Protectors collide at 6 p.m. in an early clash of opening-day winners in the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision.
The Protectors, who managed only two wins in eight outings during their forgettable Open Conference debut, made a strong statement this time by stunning back-to-back bronze medalists Savouge Spin Doctors in four sets last Monday – a result that surely caught Cignal’s attention.
Cignal, meanwhile, also opened its campaign with a victory but needed an extra set and endured several tense moments before subduing the youth-laden VNS side.
The performance, however, failed to impress head coach Dexter Clamor, who expects a more disciplined and cohesive showing against the resurgent Protectors.
“Pag-aaralan namin sila nang maigi, hindi puwedeng hindi. Kasi sabi ko nga during presscon, hindi natin alam kung sino ang best three teams pare-parehas kami ng sagot ng mga coaches so ‘yun, hindi natin ineexpect na tatalunin ng Alpha ang Savouge kasi ang Savouge top three last conference,” said Clamor, whose wards will face off with the Protectors at 6 p.m.
Clamor noted that Alpha Insurance, now under head coach Mike Santos, has added several key players, making the team a more formidable opponent.
“Paghahandaan namin maigi ‘yung Alpha kasi maraming players ang nadagdag din sa Alpha so yun kailangan bawat rotation nila alam namin kung ano yung gagawin nila. Paghahandaan namin nang maigi bukas,” he added.
The Protectors will again rely on strong performances from new recruits Barbie San Andres, JJ Javelona, and Vince Himzon as they go up against a powerhouse Cignal lineup led by Wendel Miguel, JM Ronquillo, and Martin Bugaoan, who are looking to build early momentum in their title defense.
“Trust the process. Nag-start kami last conference, kulang na kulang kami sa preparation. Coming into this conference, maganda yung preparation, and at the same time, may mga recruit kami na mga ace players talaga, so yung paghahanda talagang tinutukan namin,” said Santos.
Meanwhile, collegiate powerhouses Far Eastern University-DN Steel and University of Santo Tomas-Gameville make their much-awaited Spikers’ Turf debut as the league stages its first set of matches at the Paco Arena in over a year.
FEU-DN Steel opens the triple-header against Savouge at 2 p.m., with Dryx Saavedra, Amet Bituin, and Lirick Mendoza leading the charge for the Tamaraws. The Spin Doctors, out to bounce back from their loss to the Protectors, will bank on Mark Calado, Sherwin Caritativo, and Norwel Sanama.
At 4 p.m., UST-Gameville faces PGJC
Games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, and through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Games will also be streamed via spikersturf.ph.
