Tough Cignal, RC Cola test Foton, Mane ’N Tail

MANILA, Philippines - Expansion clubs Mane ’N Tail and Foton try to prove their mettle as they face off with powerhouse squads Cignal and RC Cola-Air Force, respectively, in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix presented by Asics today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Lady Stallions march into battle at 2 p.m. while the Tornadoes make their much-anticipated debut at 4 p.m. in the women’s division of the inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core with Air 21, My Phone, Via Mare, Mikasa, Mueller Sports Medicine, Healthway Medical, Generika Drugstore, LGR and Jinling Sports as technical partners.

Bench-Systema, meanwhile, faces Cignal at 6 p.m. in the men’s division.

With actor-sportsman Richard Gomez leading the charge, the Active Smashers are tipped to wage an all-out war, especially with an intact roster that includes high-flying John Depante, Chris Macasaet and Rocky Hondrade.

Prior to that, a Filipino-American member of the US men’s volleyball team in David McKienzie will be in attendance to give a pep talk to the players in the men’s side.

A 35-year old spiker, who registered a record-breaking 58-kill performance in the NCAA Division I, McKienzie bannered the US squad in the 2008 Beijing Olympics before campaigning in Puerto Rico and Kuwait. He returned to the national team in 2012, helping the squad win a silver medal in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League and the 2012 London Games.

He is in town as ambassador for Under Armour.

But focus will be on the Lady Stallions, one of the two new members of the league sanctioned by the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF), the Asian Volleyball Confederation and FIVB.

Kaylee Manns, the former Iowa setter known for her beauty and power during her first stint in the import-laced conference, will be reporting back to action and will combine with former Florida Gator Kristy Jaeckel for Mane ’N Tail.

The Lady Stallions, however, are in for a tough outing as they battle a Cignal side beaming with confidence following its quick 25-17, 25-23, 25-23 thrashing of RC Cola-Air Force on opening day.

Cignal reinforcement Sarah Ammerman fired 18 points while her partner, Lindsay Stalzer, chipped in 15 points, enough for their coach Sammy Acaylar to expect another impressive performance.

Ammerman and Stalzer’s power is expected to be countered by Jaeckel and Manns as well as seasoned stalwarts Mitch Datuin, Lilet Mabbayad, Michiko Castaneda and Sarah Espelita.