Chery Tiggo and Nxled aim for their second straight wins as they clash for the early Pool A lead in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference today (Saturday) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig even as PLDT looks to join the top ranks against Galeries Tower.
While the Chameleons had to overcome a tough Highrisers side in the opening match of the mid-season conference, the Crossovers demonstrated their title ambitions with a decisive straight-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies last Tuesday.
Despite missing two key players due to their commitment to Alas Pilipinas, Chery Tiggo’s depth was evident as they overpowered the Foxies.
But Nxled coach Cheng Gang is expected to make the necessary adjustments to prepare his team for the challenge posed by Chery Tiggo in the 2 p.m. encounter of another action-packed triple-header in this novel two-pool tournament, which begins with a single round-robin format.
The top three teams from Pool A will face the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three squads from Pool B will compete against the lower-ranked teams of Pool A in Pool D.
After the prelims, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System, with the top eight squads advancing to the knockout quarterfinals. Winners will proceed to the semifinals, which will also be do-or-die matches. The top two teams from the semis will compete for the gold medal, while the losers will battle for the bronze.
Chery Tiggo’s recent victory was powered by import Kath Bell and new recruit Mary Rhose Dapol, despite a strong challenge from Farm Fresh in the last two sets. Meanwhile, PLDT is brimming with confidence after its thrilling five-set victory over Creamline. The High Speed Hitters face the Highrisers at 4 p.m., while the Foxies will take on the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 6 p.m. main game.
PLDT, boasting a strong roster made up of Elena Samoilenko, Fiola Ceballos, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, Kiesha Bedonia, Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo, are expected to dominate.
“‘Yun nga every game is a must-win kahit papano kasi habol namin kapag nag-crossover with the other bracket, sana kami yung mag-top three para ‘di gaano kabigat yung ka-crossover namin,” said Ricafort last Tuesday after their marathon victory against the Cool Smashers.
However, Galeries Tower is hopeful for an upset with Thai reinforcement Chuewulim Sutadtad looking to improve on her 14-hit performance, supported by France Elise Ronquillo, Roselle Baliton and Andrea Marzan.
The Cool Smashers, led by import Erica Staunton along with Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons, Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon, are anticipated to bounce back strongly against the Foxies despite the absence of Alas Pilipinas members Jema Galanza and Jia de Guzman.
“I think that we definitely can make improvements. We can be upset about the loss tonight, then starting tomorrow, we focus on the next game,” Staunton said.
Games will be broadcast live on One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play, SMART Live Stream, and pvl.ph.
