Choco Mucho, PLDT begin bid
Games Thursday
(Filoil Ecooil Arena)
3 p.m. - Galeries Tower vs PLDT 5 p.m. - Nxled vs Choco Mucho
Fancied PLDT and Choco Mucho start their respective title campaigns on Thursday, Feb. 22, when they square off separate foes in the Premier Volleyball League All-filipino Conference at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City.
The High Speed Hitters clash with the Galeries Tower Highrisers at 3 p.m., while the Flying Titans collide with the Nxled Chameleons at 5 p.m.
PLDT is seeking to eclipse its third-place finish last year, and is expected to be spearheaded by its strong recruits in Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo from the disbanded F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.
Savannah Davison, Dell Palomata and setter Rhea Dimaculangan are also slated to fuel the crew against Galeries Tower, which aims nothing but to improve its debut performance of 11th place in the Second All-filipino Conference that ended last December.
Out to challenge the formidable crew of the High Speed Hitters are Shola Alvarez, Grazielle Bombita and setter Fem Emnas.
Eyes are also on Choco Mucho in the other pairing after the Flying Titans redeemed themselves last year, coming from seventh place in the First All-filipino to a runner-up finish in the Second All-filipino.
The Flying Titans lost Bea De Leon and Denden Revilla to sister team Creamline, but the squad still boasts of a deep lineup in Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, Sisi Rondina and new recruit Royse Tubino.
Nxled, which debuted last conference and finished ninth, has its own arsenal in Krich Macaslang, May Luna, Ivy Lacsina and Kamille Cal.
Mapua and University of Perpetual Help pulled off impressive victories Wednesday, Feb. 21, to remain unshakeable at the helm in NCAA Season 99 junior basketball at the Filoil Ecooil Arena.
The Red Robins relied on their rock-solid, nearly impenetrable defense in smashing the Jose Rizal U Light Bombers, 72-57, while the Junior Altas went to defense when their offense turned sour and blasted the San Beda Red Cubs, 78-56, in claiming their fourth win in a row.
Jan Pagulayan sizzled for 19 points while Mark Gojo Cruz pulled off a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds in sustaining UPHSD’S Cinderella run and putting it into good position at earning a crack at its historic NCAA championship.
Lebron Jhames Daep wreaked his own havoc in finishing with 10 points, six boards, three steals and a block.
San Beda, which shocked Letran in its previous outing, stumbled to a 2-2 record.
Mapua, eyeing its 21st crown, drew a 25-point explosion from Lawrence Mangubat while continuing to rely on its league’s best defense in claiming another win and staying unbeaten.