JAPANESE guest team KondohGumi Hyogo seeks to make an explosive entrance when it debuts in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals today (Friday) against Savouge at The Arena in San Juan.
KondohGumi, which was formerly known as Maruichi last year when they joined the country’s men’s premier league organized by Sports Vision and finished third place, will lock horns with the win-hungry Spin Doctors in the 6 p.m. match.
The Hyogo-based selection will still be coached by Kota Kunichika but it will field a revamped lineup that still promises energetic and full of youth players. They arrived in the country on Wednesday.
The Japanese guest team will be bannered by setter Kyoshiro Yamamoto, spikers Riku Norihisa, Roya Kakimoto, Haruto Shiozaki, and middle blockers Kohsuke Kakiuchi and Takaya Akamatsu.
Meanwhile, Savouge eyes to spoil KondohGumi’s debut as the Spin Doctors look to enter the win column of the round-robin semis backed by ArenaPlus, Mikasa, and Alpha Insurance & Surety Company after being swept by the Cignal HD Spikers last Wednesday.
Norwel Sanama, Louis Gamban, and JD Diwa will look to maintain their fine form while hoping that other hitters come alive to even their record at 1-1.
Cignal and FEU-DN Steel collide in the opening game at 4 p.m.
The HD Spikers were off to a rousing start in the semis but head coach Dexter Clamor cautioned about complacency, knowing that in a round-robin format, – the points system matters big time, adding the need to finish games as quickly and dominant as possible.
“Kailangan lang ng maturity ng ibang players ko kasi yung iba kulang ng sense of urgency, nagiging complacent during the game so ‘yun ‘yung iiwasan namin at pagtatrabahuhan ngayong semifinals,” said Clamor.
Newcomers Louie Ramirez and JM Ronquillo provided the hits in Cignal’s three-set victory over Savouge with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
The Ultras, on the other hand, shoot for a rebound after losing in straight sets to Criss Cross.
FEU-DN Steel showed heart in the first two sets, bowing 25-21 both times, but eventually became depleted in the third 25-11. Dryx Saavedra was the lone player in double digits with 15 points.
