STATISTICS won’t matter in the semifinal wars tipped to go down to the last spike, block or ace with all four teams putting premium on chemistry and execution in the Final Four of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference this Friday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Cignal and Creamline stake their unbeaten runs against Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho, respectively, with the HD Spikers and the Cool Smashers confident of sustaining their hot form but wary of their rivals’ potentials to pull off reversals and fuel their respective title drive.
“We are optimistic (of our chances),” said Petro Gazz coach Jerry Yee, whose Angels will face the league’s surprise package — the Cignal HD Spikers at the start of the best-of-three semis series.
“I know they have a stellar record this season. They have good rotation and they’ve been playing well,” he added. “But we’re prepared to face them and let’s see how far can we go.”
The HD Spikers have come so far in just five games and are looking good and ready for another run.
“We still have a lot more to improve but we’re ready,” said Cignal mentor Shaq delos Santos. “It’s a different thing in the semis, pressure will be a lot more intense.”
Ces Molina will again spearhead Cignal’s bid, along with Rachel Anne Daquis and Angeli Araneta with top setter Gel Cayuna and top blockers Ria Meneses and Roselyn Doria completing the starting crew of the team which swept the fancied Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho and F2 Logistics sides in the prelims and hurdled Army before beating BaliPure in the quarters.
