Cignal and Savouge Aesthetics are set to collide in a pivotal showdown for the second semifinal berth in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, as UST-Gameville looks to continue its giant-slaying run against unbeaten Criss Cross today, November 14, at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Both the Super Spikers and the Spin Doctors enter their 5 p.m. clash tied at 4-2, each determined to secure a spot in the next phase of the tournament. With only two playdates left in the single-round preliminaries, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides.

Their encounter promises to be a high-powered, emotional duel — a highlight of a four-match slate featuring semifinal hopefuls and teams fighting to stay alive in the race. A loss for either Cignal or Savouge could prove disastrous, as Alpha Insurance (2-3) remains within striking distance, capable of snatching the last semifinal ticket if it sweeps its final two matches.

Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon made it clear that her squad is ready for a grind-it-out war. “Sabi ko sa kanila ilalaban namin kasi iisa lang naman ang goal eh. Lagi kong nireremind sa team ko isang word lang – ano ba ang goal? Ang word lang nila ay ‘semis,’ so kapag ganon kailangan namin paghirapan,” said Calderon, underscoring her team’s all-or-nothing approach.

UST-Gameville targets another upset win

UST-Gameville (4-1) enters its 1 p.m. matchup brimming with confidence after stunning Cignal earlier this week. The Golden Spikers, however, will face their toughest test yet against the undefeated Criss Cross King Crunchers (5-0), the first squad to punch a semifinal ticket.

Powered by the dynamic tandem of Josh Ybañez and Al-Bukharie Sali, UST-Gameville seeks to deal Criss Cross its first loss and lock up its own Final Four slot before players join the Alas Pilipinas training pool for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

“They know what’s in store for them with the win, or kaya yung consequence if we lose our matches. Kasi our goal is to play in the semifinals, so we need more wins,” said head coach Odjie Mamon, emphasizing the need for consistency.

The semifinal round will get an added boost with the entry of guest squads Kindai University from Japan and ProVolley Academy from Australia, injecting an international edge into the tournament’s climactic stretch.

Alpha Insurance begins backdoor bid

At 3 p.m., Alpha Insurance opens its do-or-die bid against winless PGJC-Navy, hoping to recover from a costly loss to VNS that complicated its semifinal hopes. To stay alive, the Protectors must sweep their remaining games — including their Sunday duel with Criss Cross — and rely on superior set and point ratios against other contenders.

Earlier in the day, eliminated squads VNS and FEU-DN Steel face off in the 10 a.m. curtain-raiser, both looking to end their campaigns on a high note.