Live-wire Cignal HD clashes with Philips Gold

Cignal HD tests the mettle of the debuting Philips Gold, while wounded defending champion Petron battles Meralco Tuesday in the 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The HD Spikers made a big impression in last Saturday’s inaugurals, battling back from two sets down to upset the back-to-back champions Blaze Spikers (18-25, 17-25, 25-16, 25-18, 16-14) at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Cignal snapped Petron’s 16-game winning streak, spanning the 2014 Grand Prix and 2015 All Filipino conferences.

At the forefront of Cignal’s offense is 6-foot-1 import Arielle Usher, who fired 29 kills in finishing with 31 points.

She got ample support from fellow American Amanda Anderson, even as the rest of the HD Spikers did an excellent job containing Petron’s top gun, Dindin Manabat.

Out to interrupt Cignal is a vastly-improved Philips Gold side featuring the tallest import of the lot, 6-foot-5 Alexis Olgard, the fiery middle blocker from University of Southern California.

Philips Gold also boasts of 5-foot-11 outside hitter Bojana Todorovic, the Serbian star who played for University of California-Los Angeles in the United States NCAA Division 1.

For Petron to get back on track, outside hitters Liis Kullerkann and Christina Alessi will have to make key adjustments against Meralco regulars Cha Cruz, Mika Reyes and Stephanie Mercado.