F2 LOGISTICS and Petro Gazz clash in a key duel of top semifinal contenders while Choco Mucho seeks to enhance its own Final Four drive against an embattled Cignal HD side as the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference eliminations heads to its crucial stretch at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
While three teams look to have the grasp for the coveted slots with firm slates, three others are in a tight battle for the last semis seat with Thursday’s pair of matches to either clear or muddle up the Final Four race.
The resurgent Cargo Movers, tied with the streaking PLDT High Speed Hitters at 4-1, brace for a no-holds-barred encounter with the Angels in their 6:30 p.m. faceoff, seeking to nail their third straight victory, a share of the lead of the Creamline Cool Smashers at 5-1, and closer to a dream semis stint.
F2 Logistics is riding on the crest of its shock five-set reversal over Creamline and a straight-set romp over Cignal last weekend, giving the Cargo Movers the needed momentum and the confidence as they take on a Petro Gazz side reeling from a heart-breaking setback to a surging PLDT squad.
The Angels are tied at fourth with the Flying Titans with 2-2 cards with the former needing to hurdle the Cargo Movers who are enjoying top form largely behind Petro Gazz’s former top hitter to stay in the semis hunt.
Myla Pablo has helped anchor F2’s strong showing in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision, norming 13.8 points in five matches keyed by a high 27-point blast against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last Feb. 16.
Though she turned in her lowest output of three points against the HD Spikers last Saturday, the former National U standout and two-time PVL conference MVP is expected to explode against her former team.
But the Angels surely would know how to defend or at least slow her down, including middle MJ Phillips and Djanel Cheng with Aiza Pontillas, Nicole Tiamzon, the high-flying Jonah Sabete and Grethcel Soltones ready to lead their assault on the other end.
The 4 p.m. match between the Flying Titans the HD Spikers also packs a lot of talking points with the former hoping to finally get into the groove after struggling in five sets against the winless Army Lady Troopers last Thursday.
The HD Spikers, on the other hand, try to find the consistency their need that spiked their third place effort here last year. They have won just one, a 3-0 rout of the Chargers but have dropped four games, all in shutout fashions.
But there should be no way to go but up for Cignal although Ces Molina, Rachel Ann Daquis, Chai Troncoso, Roselyn Doria, Chin Basas and Riri Meneses must double their effort to foil the Flying Titans made up of Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag, Caitlyn Viray, Deanna Wong, Chery Nunag and Maika Ortiz.
Games are telecast live on One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play, and SMART Live Stream and on pvl.ph.