PVL: PLDT, Chery Tiggo, to battle for solo two spot

THE PLDT HIGH Speed Hitters and Chery Tiggo Crossovers will face off for the solo second spot in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference elimination round this evening at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. 

A change in the standings will be expected as both teams presently have equal 5-1 win-loss records in the match standings, while both teams are coming off wins in their previous matches. 

PLDT overcame a significant first set scare against Galeries Tower to win 29-27, 25-14, 25-18, 3-0 and extend its winning streak to five. Erika Santos led the team with her consistent performance.

Santos ended with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks, as well as 13 fantastic digs, for the High Speed Hitters, while Rose Tubino chipped in 14 points and five excellent receptions.

Despite the victory, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort felt unsatisfied with the High Speed Hitters’ performance at the start of the game, which allowed the Highrisers to gain momentum.

“Yun nga, yung first set hindi namin nagustuhan since ang dami na namang laps so kailangan i-address ulit sa training. Pero after ng first set, medyo okay naman na,” Ricafort said.

“Hindi lang skills wise pero kailangan ma-prepare sila mentally kasi ayun nga, top teams na yung mga next na makakalaban so feeling ko dun talaga kami kailangan mag-focus,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers continue to strengthen their semifinal campaign with Eya Laure’s dominant effort in a 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 28-26 escape win over the Nxled Chameleons. 

Laure Eya Laure led the Crossovers in scoring with 23 points on 20 attacks, three kill blocks, and 13 excellent digs. Mylene Paat, who was playing in her second game following returning from a foot ailment, had her finest game yet, scoring 16 points.

Cess Robles added 16 points on 14 attacks, one block, an ace, and nine excellent receptions. Nabor concluded with seven points after throwing 20 superb sets, and Buding Duremdes had 11 excellent digs.

“Credit sa team ni (Nxled) coach Taka (Minowa), ‘yung mga puntos na nakukuha namin talagang pinaghihirapan at ganun din sa kabila, so ang taas agad nung level na nilalaro ng kabila. Kami naman medyo masyadong malamig yung start namin,” Chery Tiggo assistant coach Kung Fu Reyes stated.

“Masyado kaming nilalamig so baka kulang pa siguro. Talagang mas maganda yung nilaro ng Nxled especially sa first part ng game. Though all throughout naman, nakakabalik kami,” Reyes continued.

Cignal and Petro Gazz, both with 4-2 slates, open off hostilities at 2 p.m. looking for critical victory in this stretch of the single round elimination. Choco Mucho (4-1) takes on Akari (3-2) at 4 p.m.