Games today:
(Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo)
2 p.m. — F2 Logistics vs Nxled
4 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs PLDT
6 p.m. — Akari vs Chery Tiggo
Unbeaten Chery Tiggo guards against complacency as head coach Aaron Velez warns his wards of how dangerous Akari is when the two teams clash in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Crossovers put their pristine record on the line in seeking a third straight victory in the 6 p.m. main game of the triple-header feature.
Meanwhile, expansion team Nxled shoots for a second straight win in a clash with F2 Logistics at 2 p.m. while PLDT and Farm Fresh meet at 4 p.m.
Chery Tiggo hurdled Farm Fresh in straight sets to open the season-ending conference before sweeping newcomer Galeries Tower, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21, last Thursday to take a share of the lead along with defending champion Creamline and Petro Gazz.
But despite their strong showing so far in the 12-team field, Velez wants his players to be on their toes at all times especially against a retooled team like the Chargers.
“From the last conference, we can really say that the ball is round. We cannot be complacent. All of us including the coaches should remain disciplined because at the blink of an eye, things could drastically change,” Velez said.
“So, we have to double the momentum from our past wins. Be ready, train, study and our discipline should be on point.”
Stepping up in the absence of sidelined Crossovers veteran Mylene Paat are sisters EJ and Eya Laure, Ces Robles, Shaya Adorador and Imee Hernandez while setter Jasmine Nabor has been consistent in effectively utilizing her attackers.
Akari remains a big threat as it wants to bounce back from a 16-25, 16-25, 23-25, defeat last Thursday at the hands of PLDT.
The Chargers sport a 1-1 slate tied with Choco Mucho, PLDT and Cignal.
Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Fifi Sharma and Eli Soyud are all ready to redeem themselves from an anemic outing against the High Speed Hitters.
On the other hand, PLDT guns for back-to-back wins over the Foxies, who are winless in two games.
“We know how far Farm Fresh has improved as a team in this conference. With the addition of Louie (Romero), and with the likes of Rizza (Cruz), so, we can’t be complacent even if we are up against a much younger team,” PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said.
“Also, we have to get as many wins as we can this early before going up against much stronger teams.”
Fil-Canadian Savannah Davison, who is averaging 23 points per game, will banner the High Speed Hitters along with Royse Tubino, Dell Palomata, Erika Santos, Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan and libero Kath Arado.
Nxled, meanwhile, tries to keep pace with the leaders after bringing down Gerflor, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, in the opener two weeks ago.
The Chargers pin their hopes on the leadership of the duo of Lycha Ebon and Jho Maraguinot to deliver them to another victory, this time, against the limping Cargo Movers.
Missing the services of Kim Kianna Dy and libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, F2 Logistics dropped its opening game in five sets at the hands of Akari.
Ivy Lacsina, who had a career-best 26 points in a lost cause, Myla Pablo, Aby Marano and Ara Galang will have to get their acts together to avoid another meltdown.
