Capital1 guns for q’finals berth. PVL photo
Capital1 guns for q’finals berth
CAPITAL1 faces Farm Fresh as it guns for a quarterfinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena.
The Solar Spikers looking to continue their impressive run, which has netted them four victories against two losses, in the 1 p.m. clash with the Foxies.
Tied with Creamline and Chery Tiggo at 4-2, a win will allow Capital1 to join Akari, Cignal and PLDT in the knockout quarterfinal.
The Chargers seek to extend their club-best winning run to seven matches against Nxled at 3 p.m., while the HD Spikers hope to sustain their high level of play in the 5 p.m. match with Galeries Tower.
The High Speed Hitters became the third quarterfinalist on Tuesday night after making quick work of ZUS Coffee, 25-18, 25-14, 25-12.
Despite its 2-4 record, Farm Fresh still has hopes of advancing to the knockout phase through the backdoor. However, the Foxies will need other players to contribute aside from Yeny Murillo and Trisha Tubu to halt the Solar Spikers’ juggernaut.
Marina Tushova has been sensational, recently reset her own PVL all-time scoring record with a 49-point explosion against the Chameleons last Saturday.
Capital1 has been oozing with a lot of confidence with veteran setter Iris Tolenada and rookie libero Roma Mae Doromal playing inspired volleyball, but Tushova emphasized the need of the other spikers to deliver to lessen her burden on offense.
Akari does not expect to have a cakewalk against Nxled, which at 1-5 needs to sweep its last two matches, as much as possible by winning in convincing fashion, and hope that the No. 8 team won’t reach four wins to stand a chance.
With their backs against the wall, the Chameleons are expected to play with a sense of urgency with a hope of pinning the Chargers their first loss of the conference.
Oly Okaro, Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo have reignited Akari’s aspirations following a seventh-place finish in the recent All-Filipino Conference. Since joining the league in 2022, the Chargers had never finished higher than seventh.
But with its flawless start, Akari’s chances to go further in the Reinforced Conference looks bright, fulling embracing Japanese coach Taka Minowa’s system as well as setter Kamille Cal’s solid playmaking that has been the game changer.
With a roster featuring the heavy-hitting MJ Perez and local stars like Ces Molina and Gel Cayuna, the HD Spikers appear to have the advantage in manpower, experience and talent over the Highrisers.
But Galeries Tower nearly pulled off a reversal on Akari last weekend and Cignal cannot afford to lower its guard down.
