Four teams locked in a heated battle for the last two semifinal berths go all-out for victories in a crucial Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference playdate with Chery Tiggo seeking to nail the third Final Four slot against F2 Logistics at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.
On a five-game roll since dropping a four-set defeat to the Akari Chargers last Oct. 24, the Crossovers, with a third-best 7-1 (win-loss) slate, are determined to get past the also-ran Cargo Movers in their 6 p.m. clash and join the Creamline Cool Smashers (8-0) and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans (8-1) in the post-elims play of the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
F2 Logistics, plagued by injuries and recent struggles in form, seeks redemption and pride but must rally the best from both its starters and bench players to derail the streaking Crossovers.
Cignal, on the other hand, tries to rebound from a tough five-set defeat to Chery Tiggo last Tuesday as it faces Nxled in the 2 p.m. opener of a triple-bill marking the final stretch of the single round elims of the tournament backed by Mikasa, BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, SMART, Rebisco, Milcu, Kumu, Asics and SportRadar.
The HD Spikers, at No. 4 with a 6-3 mark, aim to solidify their bid for the last semis seat, a position also being contested by Petro Gazz, PLDT and Akari, all toting 5-4 records.
All eyes will also be on the Angels, runners-up to the Cool Smashers in the first conference, also the All-Filipino, and the Chargers, who knock each other out in their 4 p.m. duel.
Petro Gazz ended a four-game skid after a four-win romp with a four-set victory over Farm Fresh last Tuesday.
But the Chargers also primed up for their key match with the Angels by thumping the Galeries Tower Highrisers in three last Thursday.
“Step by step, we’ll prepare for the next one,” said Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito after steering his wards past the Highrisers, referring to their match against the Angels. “It will be hard but their mindset is always to fight together.”
But the Angels are eager to sustain their late charge. After Akari, Petro Gazz closes out its elims campaign against another semis contender PLDT on Dec. 5.
Games can be streamed on Pilipinas Live and PVL.ph and are telecast on One Sports, One Sports+, and SMART Livestream app.
