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[av_heading heading=’Veteran-led HD Spikers tagged PSL ‘team-to-beat’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Cignal HD Spikers looms as the “team-to-beat” enlisting veteran players in the 2016 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, which will open on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.
HD Spikers head coach Sinforio Acaylar said his squad remains a work in progress as they are still building chemistry in the team following a massive lineup revamp during the off-season.
“They are saying that we’re the favorite because of our lineup,” said Acaylar. “But if you look closely, almost all of our players are new.”
“We are still adjusting on the court and developing chemistry on the court. It’s still a long way to go.”
Aside from imports Olympian Lynda Morales of Puerto Rico and Laura Schaudt of the United States, the entire starting unit of the HD Spikers is composed of new recruits who served as cornerstones of their respective previous teams.
Former Most Valuable Player Venus Bernal will be making a return after a long layoff while also adding up Stephanie Mercado, Lourdes Patilano, Mylene Paat, Janine Marciano, Sandra Delos Santos and Filipino-American Shawna-Lei Santos.
Veterans Cherry Vivas, Ilongga Michelle Laborte, Len Cortel and Jheck Dionela will also return to complete what looks like a very solid and powerful roster, capable of bringing home the title.
“This team is very matured,” he said. “We have a lot of leaders and all of them are very matured and disciplined both inside and outside the court. We expect them to lead us to the title.”
“I really like the composition of the team. At least now, I have a players who can make my job a lot easier,” added Acaylar, whose squad will kick off their Grand Prix campaign against reigning champion Foton Tornadoes on Oct. 11 (Tuesday)./PN
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