Chery Tiggo gets the chance to test its true mettle against a fancied team coming off a challenging win as the Crossovers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans clash in what promises to be a riveting battle in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Saturday.
Both teams, undefeated in two games, vie for the top spot in a match that not only decides the leader but also provides a crucial psychological edge and momentum in the competitive preliminaries of the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Gametime is at 6 p.m.
Fireworks are also expected to erupt in the 4 p.m. face-off between PLDT and Petro Gazz with the former also aiming for a third consecutive victory and a share of the lead and the latter looking to rebound from a tough five-set defeat to the Flying Titans last Tuesday.
Ushering in the explosive triple-bill is the Cignal-Galeries Tower match at 2 p.m. with the HD Spikers tipped to log their second straight victory against the Highrisers, who succumbed to the High Speed Hitters in three sets last Feb. 22.
Despite Chery Tiggo’s dominant performances against the league’s two new teams, their real worth will be tested against the formidable Flying Titans in a clash of firepower and defensive skills.
Chery Tiggo coach Kungfu Reyes places his faith in the team’s core, including Mylene Paat, sisters Eya and EJ Laure, Cess Robles, middles Cza Carandang, Pauline Gaston and Seth Rodriguez, Alina Bicar, setter Joyme Cagande, Buding Duremdes and Jen Nierva and the newly-acquired Ara Galang and Aby Maraño.
However, their main challenge lies in containing the prolific Sisi Rondina, the reigning league MVP, who scored 24 points in their previous match with the Angels.
Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin will also be banking on Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Regine Arocha and Royse Tubino and middles Chery Nunag and Maddie Madayag with support from setters Deanna Wong and Mars Alba and defense specialist Bia General.
Meanwhile, PLDT, riding high on back-to-back wins, faces a tough challenge against the Angels although coach Rald Ricafort remains optimistic about their chances, relying on a crew led by Fil-Canadian Savi Davison, Jessey de Leon, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, Jules Samonte, Kiesha Bedonia and Fiola Ceballos.
But Petro Gazz is more than motivated to get back into the thick of things with Jonah Sabete, whose 29-point blast against the Flying Titans went down the drain with the loss, out to spearhead the team’s charge again, along with Fil-Am Brooke Van Sickle, Aiza Pontillas, Remy Palma, Kecelyn Galdones.
Nicole Tiamzon and Myla Pablo are also expected to make an impact following a pair of scoreless showing in limited stints the last time out.
Games are aired on free-to-air on One Sports, in HD on One Sports+, as well as on the PVL’s official website (pvl.ph) and the Pilipinas Live app. Global coverage includes the new free-to-air channel – RPTV.
