HD Spikers ripe for title

The Cignal HD Spikers embrace the pressure that comes with being a title contender.

After an impressive run last conference, Cignal marches back to war zone as it battles PLDT Home Fibr in the opening salvo of the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Tuesday at Bacoor Strike gym in Cavite.

The match starts at 6 p.m. with the HD Spikers riding the crest of its runner-up finish in the All-Filipino Conference.

Also seeing action are Marinerang Pilipina, which takes on Generika-Ayala at 2 p.m., and Foton, which collides with Sta. Lucia in the 4 p.m. second game.

Opening ceremonies, meanwhile, are set on Saturday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

With a powerful roster composed of Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy and veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Mylene Paat and Jheck Dionela, the HD Spikers dethroned Petron and coasted all the way to the finals of the All-Filipino Conference last month.

Although it fell prey to a more seasoned F2 Logistics squad, Cignal still made a strong statement that it is ripe to finally with the title.

Daquis admitted there is pressure entering another conference.

“Yes, there is pressure. It will always be there,” said the comely skipper, who also serves as league ambassador. “But we’re not letting that pressure get into our heads. We’re just focused on one goal and that is to win the championship.”

Daquis said their title run boosted their morale.

“The experience made us realize that we could do anything for as long as we put our hearts and minds into it,” said Daquis.

True enough, the HD Spikers are more experienced and more matured coming into the Invitationals.

Gonzaga, Paat, Robins-Hardy and Roselyn Doria are also coming off a successful stint in the first leg of the Asean Grand Prix in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, giving them the exposure they badly needed while the league was on a break.

The Philippines lost a pair of matches to Indonesia and Thailand, but managed to eke out a five-set conquest of Vietnam to bring home a bronze medal.

PLDT coach Roger Gorayeb admitted that they would be cautious against the HD Spikers as well as other league heavyweights like Petron and F2 Logistics.

“Petron and F2 Logistics have always been consistent, but you can never underestimate other teams, especially Cignal,” said the seasoned tactician. “They (HD Spikers) can pull off a surprise. We have to be at our best every time we play against them.”