Cignal eyes No. 4 versus Generika

MANILA, Philippines - Cignal tries to firm up its hold of the No. 2 spot as it faces off with Generika today even as Mane ’N Tail hopes to stay at fourth against winless Foton in the 2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Fresh from a straight-set demolition of Foton, the HD Spikers are tipped to stamp their class over the Life Savers, who are still struggling to find their rhythm in the offensive end.

“We have to take advantage of their weaknesses if we want to go far,” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar, whose wards have racked up three wins against a loss to stay behind the Petron spikers, unbeaten in five matches.

American imports Lindsay Stalzer and Sarah Ammerman are again expected to lead Cignal’s charge along with local hitters Royse Tubino, Michiku Castaneda and Aby Praca.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Mane ‘N Tail, meanwhile, seeks to sustain its charge as it takes on Foton at 4 p.m..

“We’re slowly picking our momentum,” said Mane ‘N Tail coach Francis Vicente shortly after pulling off a masterful 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 conquest of Generika in their previous game.

“The chemistry among my imports and locals is now getting fluid. They are now playing like one solid unit, unlike in our first few games where everybody relied on the imports and only about two or three players worked on defense.”

The Lady Stallions nipped the Foton side, 25-22, 17-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-6, in their first meeting.

Local hitters Ivy Remulla, Dzi Gervacio and setter Rubie de Leon are all capable of pulling off big numbers while Russian imports Irina and Elena Tarasova are expected to throw the defensive blanket on Mane ‘N Tale’s gem of an import in Kristy Jaeckel, who torched the Tornadoes for a league-high 40 points in their previous meeting.

“They gave us a hard time in our first meeting, so we know what Foton is capable of,” said Vicente. “This team is not a lightweight. It is capable of coming up with an upset so we have to be extra careful.”

Cavite (1-2) and Bench-Systema (0-1), meanwhile, clash in the lone men’s encounter in the inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.