With Petro Gazz hardly had time to prepare against Chery Tiggo, coach Timmy Sto. Tomas hopes the brief rest will still be enough for them to draw up their game plan and get ready against the Crossovers as action in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino elims shifts to the Philsports Arena in Pasig for the first time this conference.
No less than the solo lead is at stake for the Angels, who actually did themselves a big favor when they swept the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers late Thursday, avoiding going through a wringer and then facing another top contender at 6 tonight.
Sto. Tomas expressed shock when asked about his plan against the Crossovers right after his wards subdued the Cargo Movers, mumbling while hinting that they are given time to rest and re-think: “Katatapos lang ng F2 Logistics.”
But gathering his thoughts, he obliged: “Chery Tiggo is a very competitive team. On paper, individually, they have the materials and we need to study their system and how they play.”
But the way Petro Gazz hurdled its fourth straight assignment to re-join Creamline in the lead, Chery Tiggo must’ve gone through a series of reviews of the Petro Gazz-F2 Logistics match to draw up its own scheme of things and try not only to stop the Angels but tie them at 4-1.
The Crossovers had a virtual workout against the Gerflor Defenders last Tuesday, winning in three with rookie Eya Laure continuing to flourish with her strong play complemented by her sister EJ’s consistent games, along with those of Cess Robles, Imee Hernandez, Cza Carandang, Pauline Gaston, and Shaya Adorador and the playmaking skills of Jasmine Nabor and Joyme Cagande.
But while scoring won’t be too much of a concern for Chery Tiggo, coach Aaron Velez is expected to focus on how to stop the other side’s offense, firmed up by the rise of Ranya Musa, who fired 11 points to help steer the Angels past the Cargo Movers.
“Everyone in the team is eager to learn and win. Grabe ang drive nila,” said Sto. Tomas. “I think we’re on the same page – na gusto namin matuto at manalo. Both ways, I also want to learn from them.”
Grethcel Soltones, Remy Palma, Jonah Sabete, Aiza Pontillas, and Djanel Cheng form part of Petro Gazz’s solid lead group that includes either liberos Jellie Tempiatura or Baby Barbon with Nicole Tiamzon, Dzi Gervaciio, Marian Buitre and Kecelyn Galdones ready to step up at any given time.
Meanwhile, Cignal and PLDT expect to get past Farm Fresh and Gerflor at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, with the HD Spikers seeking a follow-up to their four-set win over the Akari Chargers last Tuesday for a 3-2 card and the streaking High Speed Hitters looking for their fourth straight victory after dropping a four-setter to the HD Spikers last Oct. 15.
But reversals are not being ruled out with the Foxies showing toughness in their last few matches and the Defenders also due for a big surprise three weeks into the single round robin elims among record 12 teams in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, SMART, Rebisco, Milcu, Kumu, Asics, and SportRadar.
Games can be streamed on Pilipinas Live and PVL.ph and are telecast on One Sports, One Sports+, and SMART Livestream app.
