Cignal enters tough, crucial phase in chase of semis berth
Cignal HD Spikers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Talk of a rough stretch and Cignal has exactly that. Compounding matters is that the HD Spikers need to get past that in order to have a shot at playing past the elimination round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Three of their last five games will be against legitimate powerhouse sides, and with a 4-2 record heading into that string of assignments that starts on Thursday and ends on April 27, the HD Spikers cannot afford any slip-ups in order to advance to the playoffs without complications.
That’s why a stinging five-set loss to Creamline last week had coach Shaq Delos Santos refusing to speak to the media as he immediately went back to work in an effort to plot a course to the Final Four beginning with their 4 p.m. showdown with Farm Fresh at PhilSports Arena.
After the Foxies, the HD Spikers will tangle with Chery Tiggo next Thursday before clashing with Petro Gazz five days later and PLDT on April 20. The only lightweight in this group of assignments is Capital1.
The Foxies won’t be easy pickings for the HD Spikers as they own a win against the Crossovers, and in straight sets at that.
Vanie Gandler, Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga have been the spearheads of the Cignal offense, which, on paper, could be more than what the young Foxies can handle.
Farm Fresh, though, is also playing for dear life at 2-4 and will be coming into the match smarting from a straight sets loss to PLDT.
The Cool Smashers and PLDT are tied for the lead with Choco Mucho at 6-1, with Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo sharing fourth spot at 5-2, making that five-set loss to Creamline a real bitter pill to swallow since a different outcome could have had the HD Spikers alone at No. 4 and with some slack heading into their final five games.
Nxled and Strong Group, both out of semifinal contention, battle in the 6 p.m. contest.
