By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Petro Gazz tries to extend its winning ways and boost its bid for the top spot when it squares off with the dangerous ZUS Coffee side on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Angels gun for their sixth straight win in their 6:30 p.m. confrontation with the Thunderbelles, who are also riding the crest of back-to-back victories, including a four-set win over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last week.
Meanwhile, PLDT collides Farm Fresh at 4 p.m. with both squads seeking to strengthen their playoff standing.
Sporting a 6-1 win-loss record, Petro Gazz is just half a game behind streaking Creamline, which resides atop the standings with a clean 7-0 slate.
But the Angels and the Cool Smashers both tote identical 17 points, especially following Petro Gazz’s five-set triumph over Chery Tiggo last Jan. 21.
Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara said they are especially wary of ZUS Coffee, whose resurgence gave them a 4-4 card in tie with Farm Fresh near the middle standings.
“(They) are too strong in the middle. We have to prepare more sub-practice and block practice. No off. Also, we’ll do our best,” Tsuzurabara said.
Coming off a weeklong respite, Petro Gazz aims to return to court on winning note with veterans Aiza Pontillas and Myla Pablo expected to lead the all-out charge along with the hard-hitting Brooke Van Sickle.
Reinforcements are also set to come from Nicole Tiamzon, MJ Phillips and Jonah Sabete.
ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, boasts its own veteran duo in Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chai Troncoso, with Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit and Cloanne Mondonedo also forming the core of its lineup.
“For now, it’s like, we’re like, whatever we can win, we’ll just keep going. No more projections,” said ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee in Filipino.
“We still have a lot to work on ourselves. It’s about who is in front of us and how we execute, how we respond to those kinds of situations,” he added.
The High Speed Hitters are at fourth with a 5-3 record, while the Foxies are at ninth with a 4-4 mark.
