Surging Cignal tackles livewire RC Cola today

Cignal and Philips Gold aim to end their first round campaigns with a blast when they clash with separate foes today in the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The HD Spikers tackle a dangerous RC Cola-Air Force at 1:15 p.m. while the Lady Slammers battle Foton in a 3:15 p.m. encounter in this prestigious interclub tournament presented by Asics and backed by Milo with Mueller, Mikasa and Senoh as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcast partner.

After a sour performance the past conference, the HD Spikers marched to battle with a re-tooled roster anchored on the veteran leadership of Michelle Laborte, April Ross Hingpit, Jheck Dionela and Cherry Mae Vivas with American imports Ariel Usher and Amanda Anderson manning the attack zone.

They opened the Grand Prix with a nail-biting five-set victory over reigning champion Petron before crushing Philips Gold, Meralco and Foton to post a 4-0 win-loss mark in this tourney that also stakes a ticket to the AVC Asian Womens Club Championship in Manila next year.

But Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar still sees a very long journey.

“It’s still far from over,” said Acaylar after booking a scary 25-20, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23 victory over the Tornadoes late Thursday to move to within a win shy of sweeping the first round.

“Yes, we are on top of the standings, but we still have to remain hungry and we must avoid being complacent. And other teams are preparing and adjusting as well. We are taking this tournament one game at a time.”