Cignal eyes 2nd straight win, tests Mane ‘N Tail

Cignal shoots for a second straight victory today when it tangles with newcomer Mane ‘N Tail, even as Foton makes its women’s division debut in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at Cuneta Astrodome.

The Foton Lady Tornadoes—one of two expansion teams this year—take on RC Cola-Air Force at 4 p.m., after the Cignal-Mane ‘N Tail duel.

Bench-Systema also starts its campaign against Cignal at 6 in the men’s division.

The Active Smashers are favored after keeping their roster intact, with the likes of John Depante, Chris Macasaet and Rocky Hondrade returning for another tour of duty.

Riding high on solid performances from its two imports, Cignal’s women’s team opened the tournament with a 25-17, 25-23, 25-23 thrashing of RC Cola-Air Force last Saturday.

But Sammy Acaylar’s squad is expected to have its hands full against the Lady Stallions, who will have a returning import in Kaylee Manns and another highly touted reinforcement in former Florida Gator Kristy Jaeckel.

Acaylar squeezed the best out of reinforcements Sarah Ammerman and Lindsay Stalzer, who combined for 33 hits in the win over RC.

The Tornadoes will field Russians Irina Tarasova and Elena Tarasova (no relation) as reinforcements.

Meanwhile, former United States national team member David McKienzie will be delivering a pep talk before today’s games.

The Fil-Am spiker bannered the US squad in the 2008 Beijing Olympics before campaigning in Puerto Rico and Kuwait. Cedelf P. Tupas