F2, Cignal in interesting collision

CADIZ City–F2 Logistics puts its unbeaten record on the line Tuesday when the Cargo Movers tackle dangerous and determined Cignal in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference at Cadiz City Arena in this bustling city north of Bacolod.

The first serve is at 7 p.m., with the Cargo Movers looking to chalk up win No. 5 and deal the HD Spikers a second straight defeat.

Cignal will come into the contest still licking the wounds of a bitter five-set loss to defending champion Petron a few nights back.

Meanwhile, Generika-Ayala tries to improve its 2-1 record when it battles struggling Sta. Lucia in the 4:15 p.m. curtain raiser.

Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau has made a big difference for the Cargo Movers.

Mau, the former Arizona star who joined the Cargo Movers following the disbandment of United VC, erupted for 21 attacks and two blocks in their 25-21, 17-25, 27-25, 25-19 creaming of bitter rival Petron last week.

“Kalei is really a huge addition for us as we finally have a go-to-guy at crunch time,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus, who is also drawing inspired performances from the support crew of Ara Galang, Aby Maraño, Michelle Cobb and Dawn Macandili.

“But she still has more to learn, especially in choosing when to attack. She’s more of a power attacker and attacking smartly and wisely is something we can teach [her] along the way.”

The HD Spikers will not be pushovers in this match, with Cignal also trying to gather steam with its lineup also shored up by the addition of May Luna and Norielle Ipac, two of de Jesus’ vital cogs at De La Salle University, as well as Alohi Robins-Hardy, who played with Mau at United VC.

Aside from Luna, Ipac and Robins-Hardy, the HD Spikers also have tested weapons in veterans Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga.

The HD Spikers made instant impact in their first two matches, but ran out of steam against the seasoned Blaze Spikers in a 20-25, 25-18, 16-25, 25-16, 14-16 loss.

“We fell short,” said Cignal coach Edgar Barroga, vowing that they will do everything to bounce back against the Cargo Movers.

“But the battle is still far from over. We can still bounce back against F2 Logistics. We have to double our effort because we know that they are a very talented team.”