Cignal, PLDT try to stay alive

MANILA, Philippines — Cignal and PLDT will both fight for dear life when they battle Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, respectively, today in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

Currently possessing identical 1-2 records, the HD Spikers face the Japanese at 4 p.m. while the High Speed Hitters collide with the equally dangerous Vietnamese at 6:30 p.m.

The MVP-owned sister teams already got a glimpse of who they would be tackling after Saturday night’s showdown between the two foreign teams that resulted in the Kurashiki downing Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh, 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-11.

It was a result that highlighted the Japanese’s ability to win it all and challenge fellow unbeaten team and defending titlist Creamline (3-0) for the crown.

Tamaru Asaka served notice of her true strength and unleashed a head-turning 29-point performance while skipper Yano Yukino and Taniguchi Saya scattered 17 and 10 hits, respectively.

Also noticeable was the Japanese’s superb floor defense anchored on tenacious libero Takahashi Kaoru, who had 31 digs.