STA. ELENA tries to reassert its mastery over Army as they dispute the fourth and last semifinal berth in the men’s side of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today (Wednesday).
The Sta. Elena Wrecking Ball subdued the Café Lupe Sunrisers in four in the final elims playdate last Saturday to force a playoff for the last semis seat with the Troopers at 4-3.
Gametime is at 10 a.m. with the winner facing top seed Cignal TV in the Final Four starting Saturday. No. 2 Mega Builders and third seed Air Force tangle in the other best-of-three semis match.
The Wrecking Balls toppled the Troopers in the elims face-off last July 16, 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23, but the latter are raring to get back at the former, guaranteeing a fierce duel between two of the power-hitting teams in the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.
Sta. Elena’s Berlin Paglinawan, for one, topped the scoring derby with a total of 111 hits, including 107 spikes, with Isaah Arda in sixth while Army is No. 2 in blocking with Jayvee Sumagaysay producing 15 kill blocks for a set average of 0.54.
The Wrecking Balls also wound up second to the HD Spikers in digging and setting through playmaker Nico Ramirez while the Troopers are No. 2 in receives with 39.75 efficiency.
Meanwhile, Creamline and BaliPure brace for an explosive showdown in women’s semis, also set on Saturday, with defending champion Pocari Sweat and Air Force clashing for the other finals seat, also in a pair of best-of-three series.
Game today
10 a.m. – Army vs Sta. Elena (men’s)
