By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The battle for the remaining quarterfinal slots further intensifies as four teams clash in the knockout stage of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour on Saturday, August 2, at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.
Higher-seeded squads Farm Fresh and Chery Tiggo are out to extend their momentum to secure their places in the next round when they face separate opponents.
For sure, it won’t be easy – their rivals also have missions to accomplish.
The winners will join early quarterfinalists Cignal, PLDT, Nxled, and Creamline.
Farm Fresh, the No. 3 seed in Pool A, takes on Pool B No. 6 Capital1 Solar Spikers at 4 p.m., while Pool B No. 3 Chery Tiggo Crossovers face Pool A No. 6 Galeries Tower Highrisers at 6:30 p.m.
Though Farm Fresh is entering the knockout stage with a better 3-2 win-loss record, and is eager to bounce back from a straight-set loss to Nxled in their final preliminary match, with Trisha Tubu leading the charge alongside Caitlyn Viray, Jolina Dela Cruz, Rizza Cruz, and Alohi Robins-Hardy.
Capital1, for its part, is expected to go all out in its quest for a breakthrough victory and a shot at the quarters.
Despite their winless run, the Solar Spikers can’t be taken lightly with Sydney Niegos, Rovena Instrella, Rachel Austero, and Shola Alvarez determined to lead thei team’s push for a long-awaited win.
Similarly, Galeries Tower is also looking to break through after a 0-5 campaign in the prelims. The Highrisers have shown flashes of brilliane, but have yet to convert that into a win.
France Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacion and rookie standout Jean Asis aim to rise to the challenge against Chery Tiggo’s formidable frontline composed of Cess Robles, Ara Galang, and Imee Hernandez.
The final two quarters berths will be contested on Tuesday, August 5, with Petro Gazz facing Akari, and ZUS Coffee going up against Choco Mucho.
