Cignal and Savouge Aesthetics collide in a crucial showdown for the second semifinal berth while UST-Gameville aims to continue its giant-killing spree against unbeaten Criss Cross in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference today at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Tied at 4-2, the Super Spikers and the Spin Doctors enter their 5 p.m. duel in a deadlock, each desperate to secure the coveted spot in the next phase of the tournament, with only two playdates left in the single-round preliminaries.

Their clash promises another high-powered and emotional battle, a fitting highlight in the four-match bill featuring semis hopefuls and those clinging to their last chances at making the Final Four.

A loss for either Cignal or Savouge could prove costly, as Alpha Insurance (2-3) lurks close behind and is capable of stealing the last semis ticket should it sweep its last two outings.

“I told them that we’ll go all out because we only have one goal,” Savouge coach Sydney Calderon said.

“I always remind them about our goal, which is the semis. If that’s the case, we really have to work hard to achieve it.”

Meanwhile, UST-Gameville (4-1) hopes to sustain its momentum after a stunning upset of Cignal last Wednesday. But the Golden Spikers face a tough challenge in the 1 p.m. opener against the unbeaten Criss Cross King Crunchers (5-0) — the first team to clinch a semis berth.

Behind the explosive tandem of Josh Ybañez and rising opposite Al-Bukharie Sali, UST-Gameville aims not only to secure a semis slot but also to hand Criss Cross its first defeat before joining the Alas Pilipinas training pool for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.