BY ABBY TORALBA
BIDDING for back-to-back titles, reigning champion Cignal HD Spikers tackles fancied NU-Sta. Elena today in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals duel for the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference crown at the Paco Arena.
The HD Spikers return in the Open Conference Big Dance for the second straight time and will test the mettle of the young but formidable Nationals at 5:30 p.m.
“Again, iyong NU talaga promising team talaga sila. Matitibay iyong mga bata, may international exposure. Sabi nga kanina ni Ysay (Marasigan), kami puro tune-up lang, iyong ibang mga kalaban namin dito puro laro sa labas, liga sa labas, kami tune-up and training lang,” Cignal coach Dexter Clamor said. “I think the finals is (going to be) very exciting game. Tinalo namin sila during the eliminations, binawian nila kami noong semifinals. So again, paghahandaan namin ng maigi ang Sta. Elena,” he added.
The HD Spikers ended the semifinals last Tuesday on a high note, blanking the PGJC-Navy Sealions 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 and went 2-1 in the playoffs. Open hitter Marck Espejo, team captain Ysay Marasigan, middle blockers JP Bugaoan and Rex Intal, setter Owen Suarezare and libero Manuel Sumanguid are expected to lead the way for Cignal.
The Nationals subdued VNS-One Alicia 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, 27-25 two days ago to complete a semis sweep.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila kahit sinong makaharap namin, basta ang importante iyong lagi naming ini-ensayo, lagi naming ibinibigay sa kanila na dapat ganitong sistema iyong gagawin natin,” NU-Sta. Elena tactician Dante Alinsunurin said. “Kaya ako, as long as sino iyong kalaban namin, alam ko kakayanin ng mga bata pagdating sa finals.
