HD Spikers seek No. 3 seeding vs Chargers

Cignal tries to extend its winning run and cement its hold of the third spot when it battles Akari on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Match ist at 4 p.m. with the HD Spikers seeking for their third straight triumph to untangle themselves from a three-way logjam at No. 3 with the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

A victory for Cignal can officially secure them the third seeding and arrange them a meeting with the No. 10 team in the crossover phase the next round even if Choco Mucho prevail over Chery Tiggo on Feb. 22 in Iloilo City.

The HD Spikers are expected to bring the same firepower they displayed in their recent victories against Capital1 and ZUS Coffee, with rookie sensation Ishie Lalongisip, Jackie Acuña and Gel Cayuna leading their charge.

Lalongisip said they would do anything to win.

“Yung mindset namin sa last game is we need to get that win para advantage rin namin yun for the placing sa preliminaries. Kaya ayun, back to training lang kami and magtrabaho lang dahil walang ibang gagawa sa game kundi kaming players na sumusunod kay coach,” said Lalongisip.

Cignal, however, is already expecting a tough match against Akari, a team seeking to regain lost bearings from a four-set loss to Choco Mucho that put them at 5-5 in the middle standings.

Akari head coach Taka Minowa is expected to draw strength anew on the trio of Ivy Lascina, Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma in fueling their campaign.

Meanwhile, Capital1 tries to end its six-game slump when it squares off with Farm Fresh at 6:30 p.m.

Sporting a 1-9 card at the bottom standings, the Solar Spikers would need to double their efforts to finally jump back into the winning column.

The Foxies, which carry a 4-6 mark, likewise, aim to end their prelims campaign on a high note.