F2 Logistics, physically and emotionally exhausted following a steal of a classic five-set win over Choco Mucho late Tuesday, expects to recover quick through rest and proper nutrition as it faces another top and tough contender in pursuit of a coveted semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today (Thursday).
“We have to recover more because our next game is on Thursday,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego after steering her wards to a mind-boggling 21-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-21, 18-16 decision over the Flying Titans that saw them fight back from 11-14 deficit in the decider to snatch the win.
With a 3-0 card in the six-team Pool B, F2 Logistics still needs to win once to formalize its semis stint although the Cargo Movers are keen on sweeping their last two games to further firm up their bid in the carry-over phase which will feature two foreign guest squads from Vietnam and Japan.
But F2 is solely focusing on its 12 noon duel with Petro Gazz, locked in a three-way tie at 2-1 with Choco Mucho and Cignal in what looms to be a wild, furious chase for semis slots.
Chery Tiggo and Gerflor kick off another four-game bill at 9:30 a.m. with Creamline (2-0) also going all-out to nail the first semis spot in Pool A against PLDT at 4 p.m., and Cignal likewise out to enhance its semis bid against ousted Farm Fresh in Pool B in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.
Meanwhile, the league, backed by BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, Mikasa, SMART, Rebisco, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar, yesterday apologized for the inconvenience caused by the breakdown of the air-conditioning system Tuesday due to the huge number of people inside the arena that numbered to over 7,000.
The Philippine Sports Commission has already ordered the replacement of chiller No. 3 to ensure a more comfortable environment for the next gamedays, according to the organizing Sports Vision.
Des Cheng quit in the fourth set due to exhaustion while Chery Nunag cramped out in the fifth set, hampering the Flying Titans’ offensive threat and defensive stance. Still, behind Sisi Rondina, Kat Tolentino, Bea de Leon, Maddie Madayag and Caitlyn Viray, Choco Mucho fought back from 4-7 down in the decider but blew a 14-11 bubble, leading to the Cargo Movers’ epic comeback.
“Sleep, nutrition and supplementation, we got coaches for that and they’re doing really well,” said Diego. “I know these girls are not going to be overconfident for the next game. So we’re just going to celebrate for a second here and we’ll just move on and continue to work.”
Hard work has anchored the Cargo Movers’ surge in the mid-season conference and they continued to thrive with their resiliency, chemistry and big fighting heart.
Their depth also came to the fore against Choco Mucho as Diego drew clutch performances from rookies Mars Alba and Jolina dela Cruz with Shola Alvarez delivering a key ace that helped spike their enthralling come-from-behind triumph.
Kim Dy was in her old fiery self, so did Aby Maraño, Ivy Lacsina, Majoy Baron and Myla Pablo. But against the Angels, the Cargo Movers face a different set of rivals, headed by seasoned Grethcel Soltones, Aiza Pontillas, Remy Palma, Nicole Tiamzon and the big-hitting Jonah Sabete.
The clash between Creamline and PLDT is also tipped to be a toss-up. While the Cool Smashers remain the slight favorites with their tested crew made up of Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, Ced Domingo and Michele Gumabao, the High Speed Hitters, led by Jovie Prado, Dell Palomata, Michelle Morante, toughened up by tapping former Army hitter Honey Royse Tubino.
Mika Reyes and Me-an Mendez, who didn’t see action in PLDT’s straight-set romp over Akari last June 1, are also expected to suit up to reinforce the squad against the solid Cool Smashers, who swept their first two games against Chery Tiggo and Gerflor.
Games are aired on PVL.ph, One Sports, and One Sports+ with live streaming on Smart Livestream, Cignal Play and Pilipinas Live.
Games Thursday
(Philsports Arena)
9:30 a.m. – Gerflor vs Chery Tiggo
12 noon – F2 Logistics vs Petro Gazz
4 p.m. – Creamline vs PLDT
6:30 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Cignal