Strong Cignal snares Air Force, bags Superliga crown

Games today (Cuneta Astrodome)

 2 p.m. – Mane ‘N Tail vs Foton

4 p.m. – Cignal vs RC Cola-Air Force

6 p.m. – Petron vs Generika

MANILA, Philippines - A hungry, well-prepared Cignal side showed up to score a massive upset of a star-studded PLDT Telpad-Philippine Air Force side, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, and grab its first crown in the 2014 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics late Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Featuring new combination plays and an impenetrable defense, the HD Spikers had a blazing start to dethrone the Turbo Boosters in the men’s division of this prestigious inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.

Former San Beda ace Gilbert Ablan led the charge with 20 points while Most Valuable Player Lorenzo Capate delivered 15 markers for Cignal, which completed its revenge in one hour and 33 minutes of high-flying, heart-stopping volleyball action.

“It was a sweet revenge,” said Cignal coach Macky Carino, referring to their stunning victory over the same powerhouse team that frustrated them in the title match of the past two conferences of this tourney which also has Solar Sports as official broadcast partner.

“I believe in my team. I know we will win the title. But I never expected it to be something like this. It’s like winning the lottery for me, especially since this is the first time for me to win the title as head coach.”

With Cignal’s amazing run, Petron and Generika are expected to play more inspired when they collide for the title in the women’s division today also at the same Pasay venue. Both teams are hoping to become the first squad to win the crown after the three-conference champion Army took a leave.

The Blaze Spikers – with lovely imports Aliana Bergsma and Erica Adachi with support from Dindin Santiago and Frances Molina at the helm – are heavily favored to win the crown in their 6 p.m. showdown after breezing through the double-round eliminations with eight wins in 10 games.

And in the semifinals, Petron clobbered Cignal with a 25-23, 25-16, 25-21 pounding, sending a strong message that it is ready to take the throne vacated by three-time champion Philippine Army.

But the final is an entirely different story as Petron coach George Pascua expects Generika to spring a lot of surprises after the Life Savers blasted RC Cola-Air Force, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23, in the semifinals.

“Generika will be tough opponent in the finals,” said Pascua, referring to the squad which defeated them in the last playing day of the eliminations. “They are young and fearless. They are used to long rallies and perform well under pressure. We have to be prepared.”

Generika coach Ramil De Jesus, for his part, said matchup will play a crucial role in this battle. Their Russian hitter, Natalia Kurobkova, must survive her matchup against Bergsma while their Japanese setter, Miyu Shinohara, must overcome Adachi’s savvy playmaking for them to be successful.