By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Thursday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1:30 p.m. – Cignal vs ZUS Coffee
4 p.m. – Nxled vs Akari
6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Creamline
Streaking ZUS Coffee tries to protect its pristine record while defending champion Creamline guns for a quarterfinal berth when they clash with separate rivals on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Thunderbelles, who have already booked a spot in the quarters, eye their seventh straight victory in as many outings when they tackle the Cignal Super Spikers in the 1:30 p.m. curtain raiser, while the Cool Smashers seek their fifth win in seven games in their 6:30 p.m. tussle with sister team Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Clashing at 4 p.m. are sister teams Nxled (0-6) and Akari (3-3).
ZUS Coffee has improved by leaps and bounds, dropping just five sets across six victories to stay as the league’s only unbeaten squad.
But head coach Jerry Yee and his wards know that disaster would hit them if they become complacent , with other teams are hungry to secure their own ticket to the quarters.
In their four-set triumph over the Flying Titans in Candon over the weekend, the Thunderbelles had to work extra hard for every point to outlast their defensive-minded rivals.
Choco Mucho racked up 18 blocks.
“Character test samin itong game na to. Okay naman yung result. Commendable yung composure nila and sana magtuluy-tuloy na,” said Yee after that winning match.
Import Anna DeBeer is expected to lead ZUS Coffee’s offense along with local standouts Chinnie Arroyo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, AC Miner, and Riza Nogales — all double-digit scorers in their previous outing.
Toting a 3-3 card, Cignal, for its part, aims to keep its quarters bid alive and extend its latest four-set win over Akari with Katrin Trebhichavska, Erika Santos, Roselyn Doria and Ishie Lalongisip leading the assault.
Meanwhile, Creamline also hopes to improve its 4-2 mark in the hopes of joining early quarterfinalists ZUS Coffee, PLDT and Farm Fresh.
Boosted by a four-set triumph over the Nxled Chameleons, the Cool Smashers are expected to flaunt their experience, depth and cohesion with Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos joining forces with import Coco Schwan.
Choco Mucho, sporting a 2-4 card, tries to keep its quarters hopes alive as it banks on Maddie Madayag, Isa Molde and Des Cheng along with Anyse Smith.
