REIGNING Open Conference champion Cignal makes its highly anticipated debut in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference today, Tuesday, clashing with Chichi DHTSI at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
The conference’s first out-of-town game is set at 6 p.m. after the 4 o’clock showdown between VNS and Savouge.
Fresh from another championship run in the season-opening Open Conference, the HD Spikers are entering the Invitationals with a new mindset and a couple of fresh faces against the Titans.
“This is a big challenge for us, but we will take things one game at a time. Sure, malaking boost sa amin ‘yung championship namin sa Open Conference, pero we should enter this new conference with a fresh mindset,” said Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor.
Jau Umandal and JP Bugaoan are expected to lead the charge as Cignal seeks to get over the hump and surpass their silver finish in the previous edition of the conference, where they lost to Sta. Elena-NU in the Final.
The HD Spikers will parade their new additions in Joshua Retamar (National University), Martin Bugaoan (Far Eastern University), JM Ronquillo (De La Salle University), the returning Louie Ramirez (Perpetual), and Fil-Am Steven Rotter.
Chichi DHTSI, which lost its first two games of the conference, will bank on Christian Alicante and Jonathan Sorio to try and arrest their skid in the tournament backed by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company.
Building on their first victories, the Griffins (1-1) hope to make it two in a row and carry their momentum from their victory against Martelli Meats, while the Spin Doctors (1-0) aim to keep their slate unblemished.
Kim Cris Liray, Charles Segui, and Christian Olaes will be tasked to lead the charge for the ill-stricken VNS against the formidable trio of Louis Gamban, John Diwa, and GIles Torres.
