FAVORITES Cignal and PGJC Navy arranged a semifinal duel after scoring contrasting victories yesterday in the men’s division of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The HD Spikers smothered Iloilo, 25-18, 25-23, 25-17, while the Sea Lions dug deep to earn a gritty straight-sets win against VNS Asereht, 26-24, 26-24, 26-24.
Cignal and PGJC Navy duke it out in a knockout match today for a seat in the finals of the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Foton and CBPI.
Both squads swept the elimination rounds of the 20-team men’s division with Cignal topping Pool A at 3-0 and PGJC Navy also 3-0 in Pool C.
Two seats were still up for grabs in the remaining quarterfinal matches at press time featuring UAAP champion National U against Jose Rizal U and UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas versus Savouge Aesthetics.
Like Cignal and PGJC Navy, NU of Pool B and UST of Pool C also swept the prelims to loom as the favorites.
In women’s play, Colegio de San Juan de Letran earned the right to face the fancied College of St. Benilde in the semis after a feisty 25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 25-15 quarterfinal win over Jose Rizal U.
