Games today
(Cuneta Astrodome)
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Petron (W)
4 p.m. – Generika vs Foton (W)
6 p.m. – Cignal vs PLDT-Air Force (M)
MANILA, Philippines - Petron guns for win No. 6 as it faces off Cignal in a duel of top teams while Foton and Generika clash in a bid to sustain their momentum in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics today at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Blaze Spikers stake their unbeaten slate against the HD Spikers at 2 p.m. followed by the much-anticipated showdown between the Tornadoes and the Life Savers at 4 p.m. in the women’s division of the inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core.
Capping another explosive triple-bill is the Cignal-PLDT-Air Force duel in the men’s side at 6 p.m.
The HD Spikers have yet to lose in three outings in men’s play and a victory over the reigning champions will give them a sweep of the classification round and a crack at the top spot in the semifinals on Nov. 28.
On the same note, Petron also remains on top of the team standings in women’s side with 5-0 while Cignal and idle RC Cola-Air Force are tied at second with 3-2 entering the crucial stretch of the tournament backed by Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.
Meanwhile, the tournament will move to Muntinlupa and Biñan, Laguna next week before staging the finals at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Nov. 30.
Behind imports Alaina Bergsma and Erica Adachi, the Blaze Spikers are favored to capture their sixth win, especially with top rookie Dindin Santiago back in harness after sitting out a game the last time.
But Generika and Foton shouldn’t be counted out.
Despite lurking in the bottom of the standings, the Tornadoes pulled off an upset over Mane ‘N Tail, 25-23, 25-22, 25-13, to duplicate the Life Savers’ surprise victory over Cignal, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20.
“We played with a lot of confidence,” said Foton coach Villet Ponce-de Leon after her wards snapped a five-game skid. “And that’s what we want to achieve in our next game against Generika. We want to sustain this fine performance to gather momentum for the tough games ahead. Every game is a must-win for us from now on.”
Ponce-de Leon hopes her Russian imports – Irina and Elena Tarasova – sustain their form while top local scorer in Dzi Gervacio has already confirmed her attendance in the match.