F2 Logistics head coach Regine Diego wants to see a marked improvement from her wards to beat formidable rival Cignal in their Pool B battle in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Both teams opened their respective campaigns on the right track but only one of them will remain unscathed and move closer to the semifinals after their scheduled 6:30 p.m. tussle to cap the triple-bill playdate.
But for the Cargo Movers to prevail, Diego underscores the importance of taking care of their touches and avoiding unforced miscues.
She doesn’t want to see a repeat of their 22-error outing in F2 Logistics’ 25-22, 25-20, 25-23, hard-fought win over feisty newcomer Farm Fresh last Tuesday.
The Cargo Movers can’t afford to make the same mistakes against an HD Spikers side parading a roster filled with grizzled veterans led by Ces Molina, returning Jovelyn Gonzaga and middle blockers Ria Meneses and Roselyn Doria.
“I know they’re still adjusting. I understand that part. (But) we cannot do that in the next few games because we’re facing one of the oldest (seasoned) teams here in the league so for sure they’ll give a fight and we can’t relax after just one win,” Diego said.
F2 Logistics will again bank on converted open spiker Ivy Lacsina to deliver the same performance she had against the Foxies after coming up with 13 points.
Skipper Aby Maraño, Kim Kianna Dy, and rookies Jolina Dela Cruz, Jovelyn Fernandez and setter Mars Alba will have Lacsina’s back.
Cignal mentor Shaq delos Santos, on the other hand, looks to use their familiarity and firepower to beat the equally talented F2 Logistics.
“Our main focus is how to utilize our strengths and maximize them to our advantage,” Delos Santos said.
The HD Spikers will rely on Molina, Gonzaga, Meneses and Doria after the quartet finished in double digits each in their come-from-behind, 18-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22, victory over Petro Gazz.
Choco Mucho, meanwhile, looks to add expansion team Foton to its list of victims at the scheduled 4 p.m. Pool B game.
The Flying Titans easily destroyed Farm Fresh, 25-14, 25-7, 25-16, last Thursday to share the lead with the HD Spikers and Cargo Movers.
Sisi Rondina was red-hot on her Choco Mucho debut firing 14 points backed by Caitlyn Viray’s 13 markers.
Foton seeks a rebound win after falling short against Petro Gazz, 23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 20-25, two days ago.
Shaya Adorador leads the Tornadoes charge with Nene Bautista, setter Jasmine Nabor and May Luna to back her up.
In the lone Pool A match, PLDT and Akari make their debut in the 1:30 p.m. curtain-raiser.
