F2 Logistics and Chery Tiggo test their strength and mettle in a key duel while PLDT and Army try to pick themselves up from opening game stumble as action heats up in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference elims back at the Philsports Arena today (Thursday).
The Cargo Movers saved what could’ve been a disastrous start after blowing a 2-0 set lead against the PLDT High Speed Hitters, recovering in the clutch to snatch a five-set win last Feb. 7 before blasting the Akari Chargers in three over the weekend.
The Crossovers, on the other hand, fashioned out a pair of lopsided victories over the Cignal HD Spikers and the Army Lady Troopers to launch their campaign on a sound mode following a dismal second-to-last finish in the season-opening conference last year.
That makes their 4 p.m. showdown worth watching with the winner not only extending their win run but also gaining a shared view of the top with the Creamline Cool Smashers, who trounced the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in three the other night to wrest solo control at 3-0.
Meanwhile, PLDT and Army collide in the 6:30 p.m. with the winner moving into joint fourth with idle Petro Gazz.
For F2 Logistics, a victory will also serve as a boost to its confidence as the Cargo Movers face the Cool Smashers on Saturday, also at the Pasig arena.
The Crossovers, meanwhile, will still have a week to toughen up before squaring off with the defending champions on Feb. 25.
But the two teams aren’t looking far ahead, focusing on the task at hand with both sides hoping to cash in on whatever edge they have over each other in pursuit of the key win.
F2, for one, is enjoying a fine start following the acquisition of Myla Pablo, who debuted with 21 points against the High Speed Hitters before the former Petro Gazz Angel yielded the stellar role to Kim Dy, who sizzled with 17 points in dispatching the Chargers.
But the Cargo Movers are so deep in talent with Aby Marano, Ivy Lacsina, Ara Galang, Cha Behag, and Elaine Kasilag ready to step up at any given time and Kim Fajardo and Iris Tolenada anchoring their plays and Dawn Macandili manning their floor defense.
The Crossovers are also flourishing despite the departure of former leader Dindin Manabat with the inaugural pro champions staying as solid as ever on a team made up of skipper Mylene Paat, EJ Laure, Shaya Adorador, Roselle Baliton, Cza Carandang, setters Alina Bicar and Jasmine Nabor and liberos Ria Duremdes and Mary Landicho.
Games are telecast live on One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play, and SMART Live Stream and on pvl.ph.