The PVL On Tour wraps up its intense six-week, province-hopping preliminary phase with two pivotal matches on Tuesday in Ilocos Sur, highlighted by a high-stakes showdown between Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee at the Candon City Arena, where the Crossovers aim not only to rebound but also to clinch the final outright quarterfinal berth.
After a dominant start – sweeping their first three games in Pool B – the Crossovers stumbled against the resurgent Creamline Cool Smashers, suffering a four-set loss in Iloilo last week. With Creamline finishing the prelims at 3-2, Chery Tiggo can improve to a 4-1 card with a win over ZUS Coffee, tying Cignal HD Spikers and advancing outright to the next round.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz battle in the 6:30 p.m. Pool A matchup, both carrying 1-3 records and eyeing a stronger seeding in the crossover knockout phase.
Should ZUS Coffee upset Chery Tiggo, a three-way tie for second place in Pool B will emerge among ZUS, Chery Tiggo and Creamline. In that scenario, the Cool Smashers are likely to claim the outright spot with 10 total points, while the Crossovers and Thunderbelles have eight and five points, respectively, heading to their crucial match.
With so much at stake, Chery Tiggo is expected to go all-out to avoid playoff complications. Coach Norman Miguel will once again rely on his core unit led by Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador and Pauline Gaston, along with promising rookies Renee Penafiel and Jyne Soreño.
But ZUS Coffee won't back down easily. Seeking momentum and confidence heading into the knockout phase, the Thunderbelles will look to power-hitter Chinnie Arroyo to lead the charge, backed by veterans Fiola Ceballos, Jove Gonzaga, Chai Troncoso and Kate Santiago, with rookies AC Miner and Mycah Go expected to step up.
Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool gain automatic entry to the quarterfinals, while teams ranked third to sixth in each group will engage in crossover knockout matches for the remaining four slots.
The knockout matchups pit Pool A No. 3 vs Pool B No. 6, Pool A No. 4 vs Pool B No. 5, Pool B No. 3 vs Pool A No. 6, and Pool B No. 4 vs Pool A No. 5.
These elimination duels will unfold on Saturday (Aug. 2) at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
The quarterfinals, another set of knockout showdowns, will pit No. 1 vs No. 8, No. 2 vs No. 7, No. 3 vs No. 6, and No. 4 vs No. 5.
Meanwhile, beyond the on-court battles, Candon City is once again proudly hosting the PVL On Tour, marking its third time as a venue and reaffirming its emergence as a key player in the national sports scene.
Under the leadership of Mayor Eric Singson, the city has fully mobilized its resources and partnered with local stakeholders to ensure a seamless and vibrant experience for athletes, officials, and fans.
The Candon City Arena, known for its modern amenities and top-tier facilities, stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to sports development and excellence. This latest PVL stop aligns with the city’s broader vision of carving a lasting presence on the Philippine sports map – not just as a host, but as a catalyst for regional athletic growth.
