Julia Coronel’s playmaking will be the key for Galeries Tower to pull off a major reversal of PLDT. PVL photo
PLDT guns for 2nd win
PLDT shoots for back-to-back victories and a piece of the early lead as it takes on Galeries Tower, while ZUS Coffee and Nxled try for a breakthrough today in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Coach Rald Ricafort expects an even more explosive performance from Fil-Canadian standout Savi Davision, who impressed in the High Speed Hitters’ season-opening 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 win over the Chameleons last week with 19 points and nine receptions.
But with the vastly-improved Highrisers on the table in the 6:30 p.m. match, expect a tough battle.
Rookie setter Julia Coronel lived up to the billing as Galeries Tower, gave Akari and Choco Mucho fits before losing.
Angge Alcantara, the High Speed Hitters new starting playmaker, will be tested against Coronel, who has able to ulitize the Highrisers’ top spikers Jewel Encarnacion, Ysa Jimenez, France Ronquillo and middle blocker Andrea Marzan so well.
“Trabaho pa. Tsaka yung mga need na i-work out sa skills and sa decision making,” said Alcantara, who is filling the huge void left by PLDT veteran setters Kim Fajardo and Rhea Dimaculangan.
A win over the Highrisers will allow the High Speed Hitters to join the Chargers on top of the standings at 2-0 with a lot of volleyball to be played in the six-month conference.
“Obviously we all kinda have a chip on our shoulders to come back,” said Davison, as PLDT tries to leave behind the heartbreaks of the Reinforced Conference.
“Regardless of what happened last conference I think we are just you know, working hard into that podium spot. That’s our main goal, moving forward,” she added.
In the 4 p.m. encounter, the Thunderbelles and the Chameleons face off in a battle of teams looking to rebound from season-opening defeats.
ZUS Coffee is led by top rookie draftee Thea Gagate, who debuted with 13 points in a 14-25, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25 loss to Akari.
Nxled, meanwhile, hopes to give its new Italian coach Guidetti Ettore his first PVL win.
With Chiara Perementilla leading the charge, the Chameleons made good account of themselves against the High Speed Hitters, winning the third set before falling short in the fourth.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Lacsina powers Chargers
