Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. — Cignal vs Nxled
4 p.m. — Akari vs Petro Gazz
6 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs F2 Logistics
Chery Tiggo sets its eyes on claiming a seat in the semifinals when it squares off with F2 Logistics in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Fueled by the momentum of their five-game winning streak, the Crossovers are going full throttle to zoom past the also-ran Cargo Movers in their 6 p.m. main game encounter to occupy the third Final Four seat to join sister teams defending champion Creamline and Choco Mucho.
Meanwhile, Cignal seeks to rediscover its winning ways and boost its semis bid in a clash with Nxled at 2 p.m. Slugging it out at 4 p.m. are Akari and Petro Gazz in a crucial match to remain in the semis contention.
Chery Tiggo is already knocking at the door of the next round sporting a 7-1 win-loss record at third behind unbeaten Creamline (8-0) and Choco Mucho (8-1) with three games left in its elimination round assignment.
Behind young guns Eya Laure and Cess Robles, the Crossovers survived a tough test in a 17-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 16-14, escape over the HD Spikers last Tuesday.
Chery Tiggo assistant coach Kungfu Reyes sees the team’s win over the veteran-laden Cignal as a good preparation in its final push to advance to the semis since its last stint in the Reinforced Conference last year.
“It is a good indication for us (already peaking). We’re now at least a win away from a slot in the top four. That’s the intention, the motivation to the hard work we have been doing,” he said.
But picking a sixth straight victory is easier said than done.
F2 Logistics may be reeling from a three-game slide that knocked it out of the semis race, but it remains a dangerous opponent, especially in a situation where it already has nothing to lose.
The Cargo Movers, who hold a 4-5 slate, are looking to rebound from a 25-19, 8-25, 17-25, 19-25, loss at the hands of the Flying Titans last Tuesday.
Jolina dela Cruz, who hurt her left leg midway through the third set against Choco Mucho, might add to F2 Logistics’ injury woes that hobbled the team for the rest of the conference. Veterans Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron, Myla Pablo and Ivy Lacina need to step their games up for the Cargo Movers to snap out of its slump.
Cignal, on the other hand, is in fourth spot with a 6-3 card but must win its last two games to secure a semis berth as other contenders PLDT, Akari and Petro Gazz remain within striking distance with identical 5-4 records.
Nxled is coming off a 23-25, 16-25, 21-25, loss to Creamline last Thursday. The Chameleons, one of the three newcomers, hold a 3-6 slate.
Meanwhile, the Chargers beat Galeries Tower, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19, last Tuesday while the Angels ended a four-game slide with a 25-22, 19-25, 25-16, 26-24, win over Farm Fresh.
