BY ABBY TORALBA
DEFENDING champion Cignal and PGJC-Navy dispute the last finals slot when they square off today in the semifinals of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Paco Arena.
Tied with 1-1 cards in the round-robin semis, the HD Spikers and the Sealions clash at 5:30 p.m. for a chance to advance to the title battle opposite NU-Sta. Elena.
The Nationals take on winless VNS-One Alicia in the curtain-raiser at 2:30.
The HD Spikers whipped VNS-One Alicia 25-20, 26-24, 25-18 three days ago for their first win in the playoffs.
“I think it’s a do-or-die game. Kung sino iyong mananalo doon, iyon ang papasok sa finals,” Cignal coach Dexter Clamor said. “Sabi ko nga kanina, paghahandaan namin iyong every rotation nila (Navy), every set-play nila, pati iyong pang-counterattack namin.”
“Talagang sobrang detalyadong pag-aaral (ang gagawin namin),” he added.
Marck Espejo, JP Bugaoan, Chumason Njigha, Manuel Sumanguid, Louie Ramirez and team captain Ysay Marasigan are expected lead the way for the HD Spikers.
The Sealions are coming off a 21-25, 17-25, 24-26 defeat to NU-Sta. Elena last Saturday.
PGJC-Navy will count on Joeven Dela Vega, Joshua Umandal, skipper Greg Dolor, EJ Casana, Peter Quiel and Jemmy Entig.
