By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Tuesday
(FilOil EcoOil Arena)
4 p.m. – Nxled vs Galeries Tower
6:30 p.m. – Akari vs Capital1
Nxled guns for a third straight victory for a share of the lead in Pool A when it tangles with struggling Galeries Tower on Tuesday, July 15, when the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour returns to the National Capital Region at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Match is at 4 p.m. with the Chameleons seeking a follow-up from their back-to-back strong performances against heavyweight squads Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Petro Gazz Angels in Batangas City last week.
A victory for Nxled not only would boost the Chameleons’ campaign but would tie them at the helm with Pool A leader PLDT.
Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti is optimistic his stalwarts could sustain the momentum, with rookie standout Lyann de Guzman expected to banner the crew after combining for 45 points in their victories over All-Filipino champion Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho.
Help is also expected from Chiara Permentilla, EJ Laure, Krich Macaslang and Jovelyn Fernandez particularly in pivotal moments.
But Galeries Tower are determined to crawl out of the dark cellar, having absorbed back-to-back defeats from Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho despite the resilient efforts of Jewel Encarnacion, Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo.
Also out to end its slump is Capital1, as it clashes with Akari in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.
The Solar Spikers are hungry for a breakthrough after losing their first four matches – the last, against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in five sets where they squandered a 2-1 set lead.
Trisha Genesis, Shola Alvarez and Sydney Niegos are expected to carry the fight anew for Capital1, although expect a tough counterattack from Akari.
Toting a 1-3 card just above the Solar Spikers, the Chargers hope to bounce back from a recent five-set defeat to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers with Ivy Lacsina, Ced Domingo and Grethcel Soltones in front of their assault.
