GAMES TODAY
4 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Chery Tiggo
6:30 p.m. – ZUS Coffee vs Cignal
CHERY Tiggo and Cignal go all-out in pursuit of victories that would not only redeem them from qualifying round setbacks but also secure the last two quarterfinal berths in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today, Tuesday.
Fresh from convincing wins in the opening day of the Play-In tournament last Thursday, the Crossovers take on the Farm Fresh Foxies at 4 p.m., while the HD Spikers tangle with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the 6:30 main game.
A victory by Chery Tiggo and Cignal will clinch them spots in the quarterfinals, rendering the final Play-In playdate on Thursday a mere formality.
Both teams carry 1-0 slates in their respective pools, and another win would complete the cast of eight heading to the next phase of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
The Crossovers swept the Nxled Chameleons in three sets to gain control of Pool B, while the HD Spikers bucked a second-set stumble to turn back the Solar Spikers in Pool A – moving both squads within striking distance of the quarters.
Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee – two teams that have yet to make a huge splash in the league – are determined to defy the odds and keep their quarterfinal hopes alive. A pair of reversals would turn Thursday’s playdate into a decisive, all-or-nothing showdown for the last two quarterfinal slots.
The Crossovers, bannered by seasoned campaigners Cess Robles, Shaya Adorador, Pauline Gaston, Ara Galang, and reinforced by the middle blocking duo of Seth Rodriguez and Aby Maraño, have the clear edge in experience.
Coach Norman Miguel, however, remains wary of Farm Fresh’s hunger and tenacity.
“Our mindset is really to maintain that killer instinct, and hopefully, we can carry it over to our game against Farm Fresh. We also need to keep up our teamwork and listen to our coaches, and once we gain the lead, we have to keep pushing hard because these games are no joke. We’re going all out,” said Adorador, who scored 14 points against the Chameleons, in Filipino.
The Foxies, mentored by Benson Bocboc, will rely on the offensive firepower of Trisha Tubu, Aly Bertolano, Caitlyn Viray and Jolina Dela Cruz with Louie Romero setting the pace. Despite their underdog status, Farm Fresh is hungry to prove it belongs with the league’s top teams.
In the nightcap, Cignal, despite missing some key players, has found a gem in top rookie Ishie Lalongisip, whose explosive plays have complemented the veteran presence of Vanie Gandler, Roselyn Doria-Aquino and Jackie Acuña. The HD Spikers have also been drawing strength from their solid floor defense, thanks to libero Dawn Catindig and multi-titled setter Gel Cayuna.
