Tough test awaits Super Spikers

Expect Cignal to step up its game following its shaky opening-day win over VNS as it faces a tougher test against Alpha Insurance today when the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference moves to the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Super Spikers and the Alpha Insurance Protectors collide at 6 p.m. in an early clash of opening-day winners in the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision.

The Protectors, who managed only two wins in eight outings during their forgettable Open Conference debut, made a strong statement this time by stunning back-to-back bronze medalists Savouge Spin Doctors in four sets last Monday — a result that surely caught Cignal’s attention.

Cignal, meanwhile, also opened its campaign with a victory but needed an extra set and endured several tense moments before subduing the youth-laden VNS side.

The performance, however, failed to impress head coach Dexter Clamor, who expects a more disciplined and cohesive showing against the resurgent Protectors.

“We will study them carefully. As I’ve said, this is a very competitive conference and we really can’t identify the top three teams,” said Clamor, whose wards will face off with the Protectors at 6 p.m.

Clamor noted that Alpha Insurance, now under head coach Mike Santos, has added several key players, making the team a more formidable opponent.

The Protectors will again rely on strong performances from new recruits Barbie San Andres, JJ Javelona and Vince Himzon as they go up against a powerhouse Cignal lineup led by Wendel Miguel, JM Ronquillo, and Martin Bugaoan, who are looking to build early momentum in their title defense.

Meanwhile, collegiate powerhouses Far Eastern University-DN Steel and University of Santo Tomas (UST)-Gameville make their much-awaited Spikers’ Turf debut as the league stages its first set of matches at the Paco Arena in over a year.

FEU-DN Steel opens the triple-header against Savouge at 2 p.m., with Dryx Saavedra, Amet Bituin, and Lirick Mendoza leading the charge for the Tamaraws. The Spin Doctors, out to bounce back from their loss to the Protectors, will bank on Mark Calado, Sherwin Caritativo and Norwel Sanama.