PLDT, Chery clash in crucial tiff

Games today (PhilSports Arena) 4 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Cignal / 6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs PLDT

How far can the PLDT High Speed Hitters go in a loaded Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference minus their injured big guns – former captain Mika Reyes and blue-chip free agency recruit Kianna Dy? The answer is in a second-best record and a crack at the top spot. “Maganda maturity ng core,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, whose charges tackle an equally resurgent and dangerous Chery Tiggo in today’s critical elimination-round duel at the PhilSports Arena.

The 6 p.m. showdown pits two clubs that own the league’s hottest streak thus far with the High Speed Hitters on a five-game streak that hiked their record to 7-1 and the Crossovers on a four-game rampage that improve their mark to 6-2. A win for PLDT would catapult it back to the top alongside Choco Mucho (8-1) while a Chery Tiggo triumph would propel it to joint No. 2 with league powerhouse Creamline (7-2). And it was because of players, the old guns and new ones like Kim Fajardo and Keisha Bedonia, have blended well to form a competitive team minus Reyes and Dy, still out on injuries. Ricafort stressed they’re in high spirits even with a crippled lineup.

PVL Notes: Creamline’s Tots Carlos, Chery Tiggo’s

Mylene Paat and Petro Gazz’ MJ Phillips have thrown their

hats into the Korean V-League ring with their application for the women’s Asian quota draft.…Philips was actually drafted a year ago by the Gwangju AI Peppers while

another Fil-Am, setter Iris Tolenada, went to the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX.…Jia Morado also applied but went to Japan

where she suited up for the Denso Airybees.…Akari’s Ced

Domingo also plied her trade abroad as she competed in

Thailand before returning home.