Akari’s Ivy Lascina (No. 16) prepares to serve during a match with Cignal in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Feb. 18, 2025. The HD Spikers won, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21. (PVL photo)
Akari looks to rebound from its previous loss and secure a direct quarterfinal spot when it faces Farm Fresh in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Chargers, last year’s Reinforced Conference runners-up, take on the Foxies at 4 p.m., with Grethcel Soltones expected to return from a hand strain. She will lead Akari alongside Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos, Ced Domingo, Erika Raagas, Camille Victoria, and Fifi Sharma.
Meanwhile, the sixth-seeded Foxies, who defeated Akari 25-23, 25-21, 25-14 in their preliminary-round match last Nov. 30, will lean on Trisha Tubu, Jolina dela Cruz, Caitlin Viray, Aly Bertolano, Louie Romero, Maicah Larroza, Rizza Cruz, Lorene Toring, and Rachel Ann Daquis.
Daquis, who recently delivered a 19-point performance in Farm Fresh’s five-set win over Capital1 (18-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 15-12) last Feb. 18, is expected to play a key role once again.
Farm Fresh head coach Benson Bocboc is optimistic about his squad’s chances with a more complete roster, “There were games where we didn’t have Jolina (dela Cruz) and Rachel (Daquis). Now, little by little, we’re getting there. Hopefully, heading into the qualifying round, we’ll be complete. If that happens, I believe the team’s performance will improve because our strengths are starting to show.”
PLDT eyes automatic spot vs. ZUS Coffee
In the second game at 6:30 p.m., No. 4 PLDT aims to lock in a quarterfinal berth as it takes on No. 9 ZUS Coffee.
Leading the charge for the High Speed Hitters are Savi Davison, Fiola Ceballos, Dell Palomata, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, and Mika Reyes, who powered PLDT to a 25-20, 25-16, 25-16 victory over the Thunderbelles last Feb. 22 in Iloilo.
ZUS Coffee, on the other hand, will rely on Chai Troncoso, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Kate Santiago, Gayle Pascual, and Chinnie Arroyo as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Quarterfinal race heats up
Four teams have already secured their spots in the next round: defending champion and top seed Creamline, No. 2 Petro Gazz, No. 5 Choco Mucho, and No. 10 Galeries Tower.
The final two quarterfinal slots will be determined in a play-in tournament, where six teams—Cignal, Nxled, Capital1, Chery Tiggo, and the losers of Tuesday’s matches—will battle in a single-round elimination format starting Thursday.