CAPITAL1 and Strong Group Athletics tangle in a duel of newcomers in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the Philsports Arena today.

Only one between the Solar Spikers and SGA will get a breakthrough in the 4 p.m., with a victory serving as motivation to perform well in their league debut.

Farm Fresh aims to capitalize on its recent success as it faces a winless yet formidable opponent in Akari in the other match at 6 p.m.

Led by experienced players Jannine Navarro, Heather Guino-o, Kath Villegas and Shirley Salamagos, along with young talents Syd Niegos and Ja Lana, Capital1 is looking raring to showcase improvement in its game.

Like the Solar Spikers, chemistry is also an issue with SGA, with Dolly Verzosa, Justine Rebleza and Sheeka Espinosa spearheading the young club’s bid for a first win.

After opening its campaign with a fighting four-set defeat to defending champion Creamline, Farm Fresh rebounded with a convincing 25-16, 25-18, 25-16 win over Capital1 last Thursday.

Trisha Tubu and Chinnie Arroyo, who have been consistently stellar, will be the Foxies’ main offensive options.

Despite dropping their first two matches, the Chargers remains optimistic with the integration of new players Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo into the team’s system.

Akari lost to powerhouses Cignal and Creamline in succession, keeping coach Raffy Mosuela winless in his PVL debut.

With key players like Dindin Manabat, Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma, the Chargers hope to turn the tide against the Foxies in their encounter, leveraging their manpower and experience.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado