Motolite tries to rebound from a shutout loss to powerhouse Creamline as it takes on debuting Chef’s Classic while BanKo-Perlas seeks to recover lost grounds against Air Force in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference today (Saturday) at the Filoil Flying F Center in San Juan.
The Power Builders hope to come out better, stronger after a rather disappointing stint against the Cool Smashers last Wednesday where they absorbed a stinging 14-25, 15-25, 14-25 defeat as they test the Red Spikers’ mettle in their 4 p.m. encounter.
Motolite top hitter Myla Pablo sets out to improve on her 11-hit performance against the defending champions although she would need to draw solid backup from the likes of Diana Carlos, Maristela Layug, Aie Gannaban and Isa Molde and Fil-Am setter Iris Tolenada to spoil the Red Spikers’ maiden stint in the league organized by Sports Vision.
Skippered by former La Salle standout Justine Tiu, Chef’s Classic will also be relying heavily on the fancied San Beda stalwarts and twins Nieza and Ella Viray along with Rebecca Cuevas, Trisha Paras, Cecilia Bangad and Aljan Pielago, setter Noreen Gabriana, and liberos Julia Angeles and Mialyn Manabat.
“No expectations, no pressure but we’ll give our 100 percent effort every game,” said Ella. “But we’re not new in this kind of competition though we are also willing to learn from the veterans of the league.”
The 6 p.m. clash between the Perlas Spikers and the Jet Spikers will also feature a lot of experienced players with the former trying to make up for their four-set defeat to the PacificTown Army Lady Troopers last Wednesday after stunning the Reinforced Conference champions PetroGazz Angels in last week’s inaugurals of the all-Filipino tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC.
The crisp-hitting Nicole Tiamzon is again tipped to lead BanKo-Perlas’ charge along with Dzi Gervacio, Sue Roces, Roma Doromal and block artist Kathy Bersola with Jem Ferrer to the provide the playmaking chores and Nina Balang and Gizelle Tan the needed floor defense and coverage.
But the returning Air Force is also out to atone for its straight-set loss to Creamline with coach Jasper Jimenez expecting his veteran wards made up of Dell Palomata, May Ann Pantino, Javen Sabas, Angel Antipuesto, Judy Ann Caballejo and Joy Cases to have shrugged off the rust following a long layoff in competitive volleyball.
