In a tense battle for the last semifinal spot in Group A of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, PLDT outside spiker Jovie Prado's availability remains uncertain due to a left knee injury.
The High Speed Hitters are gearing up for a must-win match against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday, but the absence of their all-around player casts a shadow on the match.
During the High Speed Hitters' recent encounter with the Cool Smashers, Prado suffered a bad landing late in the second set, forcing her to be stretchered off the court. Head coach Rald Ricafort revealed that she has already undergone an MRI, and the results are set to be known on Monday. As of now, the prospects for her playing on Tuesday seem dim.
Coach Ricafort acknowledged the significance of Prado's absence, saying, "It's a knee injury, but it's not final yet. However, as of her current condition, it's quite doubtful that she'll be able to play on Tuesday. We won't know for sure until Monday."
The 26-year-old outside hitter's presence could be a game-changer for PLDT as they go head-to-head with Chery Tiggo for the crucial semifinal berth.
The stakes are high in this tight race, with both PLDT and Chery Tiggo holding 2-1 win-loss records. The Cool Smashers have already secured the first playoff seat, adding more intensity to the matchup between the High Speed Hitters and the Crossovers.
In their previous match against the Defenders, Prado's absence didn't deter PLDT's determination. The team displayed resilience and cohesion, soundly defeating the new squad in straight sets, with a final score of 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 at the Philsports Arena.
Stepping up in Prado's absence, Fiola Ceballos delivered an outstanding performance, leading the team with a game-high 13 points. Alongside her, Dell Palomata, Michelle Morente, and Royse Tubino contributed with 12, 11, and 10 points, respectively, securing the much-needed victory.
However, without Prado's attacking prowess and experience, the High Speed Hitters will face a daunting challenge against Chery Tiggo, a team eager to claim their spot in the semifinals.
PLDT will have to dig deep and rely on their collective strength to overcome this hurdle and secure their place in the next round.
The showdown against Chery Tiggo on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Philsports Arena promises to be a thrilling and decisive encounter that will determine which team advances to the highly anticipated semifinals.
