Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
2:30 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Chery Tiggo
5:30 p.m. — PLDT vs F2 Logistics
Chery Tiggo braces for another stiff resistance when it puts its unbeaten card on the line against surging Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Crossovers, who hold a share of the lead with grand slam-seeking Creamline, are looking to add the Flying Titans to their list of victims in their fourth start in the import-laden conference.
Game time is set at 2:30 p.m. followed by the 5:30 p.m. tussle between PLDT and F2 Logistics.
The 2021 Open Conference champion squad is coming off a 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 15-6, win over Akari last Thursday.
Crossovers head coach Clarence Esteban underscores the importance of putting up a strong defensive effort at the net against Choco Mucho’s formidable wings led by Uzbek-Azerbaijani outside hitter Odina Aliyeva and Kat Tolentino.
The attacking duo did most of the damage in the Flying Titans’ 25-27, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 17-15, win over PLDT last week.
“We need to focus on our blockings when we go up against Choco Mucho. We have been struggling with our blocking so we need to address that,” Esteban said.
Holding the first line of defense will be on the shoulders of Montenegrin Jelena Cvijovic, Mylene Paat and Czarina Carandang, who all scored in double figures for the Crossovers the last time out.
Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro, on the other hand, knows that Chery Tiggo is brimming with confidence after winning three straight games.
He wants his wards to match the Crossovers intensity with their speed and relentless attacks.
“They’re on a roll. Their locals are delivering too and their guest player has been playing consistently. We really need to prepare well against them. It’s going to be a good match for us,” he said.
The Flying Titans sport a 2-1 win-loss record tied with Petro Gazz at third spot.
Meanwhile, F2 Logistics and PLDT are in a three-way logjam at 1-2 slate with Cignal.
The Cargo Movers snapped a two-game slump with a straight sets conquest of Army, 25-17,
25-21, 25-16, last week in the return of starting libero Dawn Macandili after skipping two games due to an undisclosed injury.
American Lindsay Stalzer, Kalei Mau and Ivy Lacsina will banner F2 Logistics’ attempt to begin a winning run.
The High Speed Hitters are on a two-game slide.
Russian import Elena Samoilenko, who dropped 35 points in 34-of-110 attacking clip in a losing effort last week, will need more support from the locals led by Fiola Ceballos and Mika Reyes to get out of their funk.