Cignal battles Navy, eyes Spikers’ Final 4

MANILA, Philippines – Cignal TV Inc. seeks to join unbeaten Philippine Air Force in the semifinals as it tackles a struggling Philippine Navy side today in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Fueled by Red Christensen’s 16-point exploit, the HD Spikers turned back the stubborn Sta. Elena Active Smashers, 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-17, last Wednesday to assure themselves of at least a playoff for a semis slot with a 3-1 card.

But the HD Spikers will be going up against a team in need of a win to stay in the semis hunt, guaranteeing another slambang action in the 5 p.m. duel in the tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

With a 1-2 slate, Navy needs to sweep its last two games to get a crack at the last Final Four seat.

“We will need a total team effort again to have a chance,” said Cignal coach Michael Carino, who hopes to draw big games anew from the power-spiking Christensen, Edmar Bonono and Jeffrey Lansangan, the last two combining for 19 hits the last time out.

Sta. Elena and Instituto Estetico Manila, meanwhile, boot each other out in the semis race as they tangle in the 3 p.m. opener. The Wrecking Balls tote a 1-3 card while the Volley Masters have dropped their first three games.

Air Force took the first semis spot with four straight wins while PLDT is in third with a 2-2 mark heading to the last four playdates of the single round elims of the league organized by Sports Vision.