Smart-Army guns for quarters spot

Games Today (Imus Sports Center) 2 p.m. – PH Team vs Cignal 4:15 p.m. – Foton vs UP-UAI 7 p.m. – Smart-Army vs UE-Cherrylume

Smart-Army guns for the first quarterfinals berth in Pool B against winless University of the East-Cherrylume today as the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference brings its act to the Imus Sports Center in Cavite.

The Giga Hitters, holding a 2-1 record behind defending champion Cignal HD Spikers (3-0), will come to the 7 p.m. battle riding the crest of a 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18 victory over the Cocolife Asset Managers last week.

Although their fate for an outright semifinal seat is out of their control, Smart-Army coach Kungfu Reyes sees no reason for his wards to look past the task at hand.

“It’s not in our hands anymore. Our only control is gaining the second place in our group and entering the quarterfinals with additional confidence,” said Reyes, who steered Army to an Invitational title run two years ago at the expense of Thailand’s EST Cola.

Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s national volleyball team continues its buildup by taking on the HD Spikers in the opener of the blockbuster tripleheader at 2 p.m.

The Nationals, even with just 11 players available, showed full of promise underscored by a 25-13, 25-17, 25-11 victory over the Asset Managers over the weekend, with Jaja Santiago leading the way with 17 points.

However, the 6-foot-5 Santiago, together with elder sister Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Maika Ortiz and CJ Rosario, won’t be around for the Nationals as they will suit up for their mother club, Foton, which will take on fellow struggler University of the Philippines-United Auctioneers in a Group A encounter at 4:15 p.m.