The Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference returns on Wednesday with a rare four-game slate featuring all eight teams, promising nonstop volleyball action at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Unbeaten Criss Cross and defending champion Cignal aim to take major steps toward semifinal berths, while the rest of the field look to boost their playoff chances or keep their hopes alive after Sunday’s postponed matches due to Typhoon Uwan.
The day’s highlight will be a clash of experience and youth as league-leading Criss Cross King Crunchers face the FEU-DN Steel Tamaraws at 5:00 PM, while the Cignal Super Spikers take on the UST-Gameville Golden Spikers at 3:00 PM.
Holding a 4-0 record, Criss Cross will once again rely on veterans Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, and Kim Malabunga as the King Crunchers try to move closer to the semis.
A win over the 1-3 Tamaraws would put the team on the brink of a Final Four berth, which could be secured outright depending on the results of other games in today’s packed schedule.
FEU-DN Steel, meanwhile, will bank on its youthful core of Dryx Saavedra, Luis Miguel, and Lirick Mendoza, though another loss would virtually end their semifinal hopes in the tournament organized by Spikers’ Turf and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Cignal (4-1) also has a chance to move closer to a semis slot — or even clinch it outright — with a win against UST-Gameville. The Super Spikers will again depend on Jay Rack Dela Noche, JP Bugaoan, and Louie Ramirez for a strong showing in this crucial matchup.
The Golden Spikers, boasting a 3-1 record, are eager to keep pace with the league leaders. A victory today would put them just behind Criss Cross and strengthen their hold on a semis spot, with Josh Ybañez, Edriel Alabar, and Al-Bukharie Sali expected to lead the charge.
In other games, Savouge Aesthetics (3-2) opens the quadruple-header against winless PGJC-Navy (0-4) at 10:00 AM, followed by Alpha Insurance (2-2) taking on VNS (0-4) at 1:00 PM.
