Crucial matches for Cignal, Foton

MANILA, Philippines — Hopefuls Foton and Cignal head into key matches against separate opponents today, eyeing the third spot at the close of the preliminary schedule in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center in Bulacan. 

Reeling from a heart-breaking five-set loss to Petron over the weekend, the Tornadoes will try to bounce back against winless Marinerang Pilipina in the 4:15 appetizer. 

The HD Spikers will face a more difficult task against the Cargo Movers at 7 p.m.

Sporting identical 7-6 cards, Foton and Cignal are in joint fourth place behind idle Generika-Ayala (8-6), making it a must-win match for both squads in a bid to forge a three-way logjam at No. 3.

Reigning champion Petron (13-1) and F2 Logistics (11-2) have already sealed the 1-2 spots.

PLDT (6-8), Sta. Lucia (2-12) and Marinerang Pilipina (0-13) are settled at sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively — leaving Generika, Foton and Cignal in a toss-up to determine the third to fifth-ranked squads for the knockout playoffs set to start this Thursday.

Given that triple-tie scenario, the HD Spikers hold an inside track to secure third place over the Tornadoes and the Lifesavers due to superior quotient as long as they take care of business against the Cargo Movers. 

“This is our best and only chance to get the third spot so we have to give our all,” said Cignal mentor Edgar Barroga, who is banking on a long rest and the perfect timing against the suddenly vulnerable F2 squad.