Flying Titans, Angels dispute early lead
Games today: (Philsports Arena) 4 p.m. –- PLDT vs Nxled 6 p.m. –- Choco Mucho vs Petro Gazz
Top contenders Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz cross paths in an exciting encounter of powerhouse squads with a share of the lead at stake in the Premier volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Adding flavor to the 6 p.m. double-header playdate is the much-anticipated matchup between explosive hitters in reigning Most valuable Player Sisi Rondina of the Flying Titans and the Angels’ Filipino-American Brooke van Sickle.
Meanwhile, PLDT aims to score back-to-back wins at 4 p.m. against Nxled, which shoots for a bounce back after a disappointing start.
Rondina, who anchored Choco Mucho’s breakthrough runner-up finish in last year’s 2nd AFC, looks forward to testing her mettle against the Philippine National volleyball Federation Champions League MvP.
“I’m looking forward to defending her attacks. I know I will learn a lot from her,” Rondina said of her coming showdown with the former US NCAA Division I standout.
The Flying Titans defeated the retooled Chameleons, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18, last Thursday with Rondina leading the way with 17 points, 10 digs and two excellent receptions.
Rondina will have a crack supporting cast in kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Maddie Madayag, Cherry Nunag, libero Thang Ponce and setter Mars Alba, who had 18 excellent sets in her club debut, to help Choco Mucho get their second win to join idle Chery Tiggo on top.
“We just have to continue our good performance. We need to prepare well. I expect nothing less of a dogfight this Tuesday as both of our teams are coming off wins,” Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
Petro Gazz, which ruled the PNvF Champions League during the offseason, dominated newcomer Strong Group Athletics, 25-12, 25-20, 25-12, last week.
But unlike Rondina, van Sickle had a quiet outing after finishing with a paltry seven points. Nicole Tiamzon led the way with 15 markers.
“I would say I feel like we’re a little tense and not really flowing as well — probably the first game jitters a little bit. But you know, it’s still good to be able to play and start PvL with a win,” van Sickle said of her forgettable debut.
But the open spiker vows to rediscover her competitive form to help the Angels hurdle their first real test.
“Choco Mucho, they’re a very good team. We’re gonna expect a really good fight,” she said.