San juan: PLDT tries to keep the top spot when it battles Choco Mucho on Saturday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan. The High Speed Hitters, already assured of an automatic berth in the next phase, meet the Flying Titans in the 4 p.m.
According to Philippines News Agency, PLDT defeated Farm Fresh (25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-10) and Galeries Tower (25-18, 25-22, 25-17) to improve its record to 6-1. "Actually, the feeling isn't that the elims are close, because our remaining games are very tough. Our remaining games are very tough, so that's why I'm reminding the players that it's really hard to look too far ahead. It's really one game at a time," said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort in a news release Friday.
Savi Davison banners the High Speed Hitters with support from seasoned Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes and setter Kim Fajardo. But Choco Mucho, sporting a 3-4 slate, is expected to bounce back after losing to Farm Fresh, a 21-25, 22-25, 25-16, 18-25, 9-15, last Tuesday. Coach Dante Alinsunurin Jr. will rely on Sisi Rondina, Katrina Mae Tolentino, Eya Laure and skipper Desire Cheng to lead the Flying Titans in their bid to advance.
The top four teams advance to the qualifying round, where they will dispute the first two semifinal slots in crossover matches. The losers will await the winners of the play-in stage featuring teams ranked fifth to 10th. Meanwhile, Cignal hopes to conquer Capital1 in their 6:30 p.m. duel to secure the second qualifying round slot.
Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos will spearhead the Super Spikers, who are coming off a 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles. The Solar Spikers, on the other hand, will bank on three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, Shaya Adorador, Sydney Niegos and middle blockers Cherry Nunag and Ezra Madrigal.
