CIGNAL and Iloilo face-off in a key duel for a crack at the first championship berth even as Imus and Cotabato knock each out in the semifinals of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today.
The HD Spikers smothered the Imus AJAA Spikers 25-23, 25-19, 25-15 while the D’Navigators held off the Cotabato Spikers 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 last Wednesday as the round-robin semis got going, giving them the momentum to go for the first finals slot.
That ensures a heated battle in the 3 p.m. opener although the HD Spikers enjoy a big psychological edge, having trounced the D’Navigators 25-19, 25-22, 25-15 last March 10.
Cignal boasts a star-studded crew that dominated the eliminations via a 10-game sweep.
But coach Dexter Clamor remains wary of their chances, stressing the need for his wards to be ready.
“Same na paghahanda na ginagawa namin before kahit sino ‘yung kalaban. Lahat naman ng teams na nasa semifinals ay malalakas, so paghahandaan namin ng maigi,” said Clamor.
“Kahit mga bata ‘yan kasi yung mga bata nga mas aggressive pa ‘yan kagaya nung nangyari sa amin sa NU, ‘di ba? We will prepare, though short lang ‘yung time, we will prepare nang mabuti para sa game namin,” added Clamor, referring to their four-set victory over the NU Builders that foiled their record bid to sweep the eliminations without dropping a set.
