Asset Managers, HD Spikers eye lead

Games today 4:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Smart-Army 8 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs Cocolife Cocolife and Cignal slug it out with Sta. Lucia and Smart-Army, respectively, today, both seeking an early share of the lead as action in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference shifts to the Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite.

The Asset Managers shoot for a second victory against the Lady Realtors at 8 p.m. after the 4:30 p.m. clash between the HD Spikers and the Smart side in the tournament sponsored by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and Sogo Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

Cignal bounced back from a first-set setback and repulsed UE-Cherrylume, 19-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-22, late Tuesday to open its campaign in the league’s midseason tournament backed by Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

Mylene Paat and Rachel Anne Daquis, who combined for 34 hits the first time out, are expected to carry the cudgels against a Smart-Army squad riding high on its first franchise win after beating a depleted Sta. Lucia side, 25-14, 25-16, 2523, last Monday.

Also seeking a share of the lead are the Asset Managers, out to score a follow up to their 22-25, 25-13, 25-22, 25-18 victory over UE-Cherrylume.

Cocolife coach Moro Branislav said their first game was an acid test since he is handling a young and retooled roster bannered by 20-year old Gyra Barroga, Denice Tan and Justine Tiu.

“I understand that this is a new life for Cocolife. Completely different situation and different sets of players,” said Branislav. “My new players are good but we relaxed a bit against UE and we cannot do that now since we are facing a stronger team.”

Sta. Lucia, meanwhile, hopes to buck the absence of Jho Maraguinot, Toni Basas and libero Rica Rivera as it tries to bounce back from a tough setback to Smart-Army.

Maraguinot is out with a muscle strain, Basas will have her infected ear operation re-evaluated and Rivera is down with a knee injury.