Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
2:30 p.m. — Army vs Petro Gazz
5:30 p.m. — Cignal vs F2 Logistics
Petro Gazz formally shoots for the third semifinal seat when it takes on also-ran Army in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is set at 2:30 p.m. followed by another crucial encounter at 5:30 p.m. between Cignal and F2 Logistics, teams still in the thick of the battle for the remaining Final Four berth.
Holding a 4-2 win-loss record at solo third spot, the Angels need just to win one of their remaining two assignments to join league-leading Creamline and Chery Tiggo in the round robin semis.
Behind the inspired game of American import Lindsey Vander Weide, Petro Gazz outlasted the Crossovers 25-14, 24-26, 25-13, 21-25, 15-9, last week to get back on the right track.
“Definitely a confidence-booster, and I think it was something that we needed. We haven’t been feeling great, and I think this brought us back to where we needed to be,” Vander Weide, who dropped 29 points against Chery Tiggo, said.
Backing up Van Weider in their mission to secure a spot in the next round are MJ Phillips, Remy Palma, Myla Pablo, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jonah Sabete and playmaker Djanel Cheng.
The Lady Troopers, on the other hand, are hoping to end their disappointing campaign with a win.
Army lost all of their first seven games with their last coming at the hands of the Cool Smashers, 12-25, 18-25, 25-23, 23-25, last week.
Playing as spoilers, Canadian import Laura Condotta, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Nene Bautista, Jeanette Villareal and Jean Balse-Pabayo will try to hinder the Angels’ entry to the Final Four as well as bag the elusive victory.
Meanwhile, the Cargo Movers and HD Spikers are in for an all-important battle that could decide their semis fate.
Tied at fourth spot with identical 3-3 slates and just half a game ahead of Choco Mucho (3-4), the winning squad will get a little breathing room and a foot closer to the Final Four.
So expect nothing but an all-out war with American import Lindsay Stalzer, Kim Kianna Dy, Ivy Lacsina, Aby Marano, setter Kim Fajardo and top libero Dawn Macandili leading the way for F2 Logistics with Filipino-American hitter Kalei Mau still doubtful to see action.
Mau sat out in the Cargo Movers’ 21-25, 25-22, 24-26, 22-25, stinging loss to eliminated Akari last Tuesday due to a calf injury.
Cignal also wants to rebound from a 21-25, 23-25, 25-22, 21-25, defeat to sister team PLDT last Tuesday.
American import Tai Bierria, Roselyn Doria, Riri Meneses and Ces Molina will carry the fight for the HD Spikers.
