PLDT faces Choco Mucho today (Thursday) in a marquee matchup in the PVL Reinforced Conference, headlining another action-packed triple-header in Pool A play at the Araneta Coliseum.
Touted as a duel of league powerhouses, the showdown is expected to rival – or even eclipse – the intensity and quality of play of last Tuesday’s Creamline-Petro Gazz classic.
The High Speed Hitters are coming off a dominant sweep of Capital1 Solar Spikers in a rare Monday game, launching their campaign for a third consecutive PVL championship. But beyond the title chase, PLDT is also looking to stretch its incredible win streak to 15 matches, a run dating back to their PVL On Tour and Invitational title victories.
Despite the emphatic win, head coach Rald Ricafort emphasized that the team is still a work in progress.
“Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin,” said Ricafort, referring especially to Russian import Anastasiia Bavykina.
“Nag-a-align pa siya sa team. Yung mga kulang namin, siya ang nagpupuno. Hopefully, with chemistry, mas makapag-gel kami.”
Cohesion will indeed be key for PLDT as it duels a confident Choco Mucho side that proved its mettle in a four-set stunner over Cignal – despite playing without American import Anyse Smith, who is still awaiting her special work permit.
Led by Maddie Madayag and Isa Molde, the Flying Titans leaned on their local core to pull off the win, showing depth and resilience.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin praised his team’s effort and unity.
“Ang mindset ng team is that may mga times nga na may challenges kami na kailangan namin na magtulungan – sa depensa, opensa. Kaya nakuha namin ang panalo,” said Alinsunurin, reflecting on their first victory.
He also drew strong performances from Des Cheng, Kat Tolentino, Cherry Nunag and Royse Tubino – all of whom are expected to play key roles again in tonight’s 6:30 p.m. main event.
PLDT, however, is not lacking in firepower either. Alongside Bavykina, the High Speed Hitters have a formidable cast that includes Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Dell Palomata and Canadian ace Savi Davison. Jessey de Leon and Jovie Prado add depth, while top rookie Alleiah Malaluan is also expected to see action.
Tonight’s duel is projected to be a closely contested thriller, much like the Creamline-Petro Gazz faceoff, where the Cool Smashers bounced back from a five-set loss to the Akari Chargers to edge the Angels in four and even their Pool B record at 1-1.
Earlier in the day, Farm Fresh looks to keep pace with the leaders when it meets a struggling Cignal side at 1:30 p.m. The Foxies are riding high after a four-set win over Nxled, sparked by a spectacular 38-point eruption from import Eli Rousseaux – setting the early bar for foreign reinforcements.
With support from Trisha Tubu, Ces Molina, Rizza Cruz, Lorene Toring and Fil-Am setter Alohi Robins-Hardy, Rousseaux will once again be the focal point against a Cignal team still reeling from its loss to a Choco Mucho squad without an import.
Eva Chantava managed just 10 points in that game, with Vanessa Gandler stepping up with 15. But more will be needed from Chantava and the rest of the Super Spikers, including Erika Santos, Erin Pangilinan, Jackie Acuña, Heather Guino-o and Gel Cayuna – to stop the surging Foxies.
Meanwhile, at 4 p.m., Nxled and Capital1 tangle in a battle of opening-game losers, both looking to gain traction in their campaigns in the year-ending conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano Appliances.
