Fancied Cignal begins its redemption campaign against rebound-seeking Santa Rosa City in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference today at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The HD Spikers are raring to begin their mission of reclaiming the throne they surrendered last year to National University-Sta. Elena.
Parading an intact star-studded lineup led by the veteran duo of Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan, the HD Spikers are favored to get past the Lions in their 4 p.m. encounter.
Cignal is also pinning its hopes on Wendel Miguel, Alfred Valbuena, JP Bugaoan, JP Torres, Chumason Njigha and libero Manuel Sumanguid.
Santa Rosa, on the other hand, seeks to barge into the win column after suffering a 22-25, 26-28, 31-29, 16-25, loss to Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography last Sunday.
The Lions, who finished fifth in their maiden campaign last year, are banking on another explosive performance from Mark Montemayor, Exequiel Mendoza, Gabriel Magsino, Uriel Mendoza and Anrie Bakil but this time hopefully with a winning result.
Meanwhile, newcomer AMC-Cotabato battles a new-look VNS in the main game at 6 p.m.
National team members John Vic De Guzman, Jau Umandal, Jayvee Sumagaysay and Rex Intal will banner the Cotabato Spikers along with other reliables in Kim Dayandante, Madzlan Gampong, Fauzi Ismail and Edward Camposano.
The Griffins lost most of their players from last year including the departure of setter Ish Polovorosa and reigning Second Best Outside Spiker Barbie San Andres.
The Ralph Ocampo-mentored squad will now rely on Philip Bagalay, Ron Medalla and Mark Deximo to carry the fight for VNS.
