Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

1:30 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs Nxled

4 p.m. — ZUS Coffee vs Choco Mucho

6:30 p.m. — Akari vs PLDT

All eyes are fixed on the rivalry showdown between Akari and PLDT highlighting an explosive triple-bill feature as action in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference resumes Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The grudge match, which resulted from a controversial semifinal meeting two tournaments ago, is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., capping off a busy first playdate of 2025 following a month-long holiday break.

Meanwhile, Farm Fresh and winless Nxled clash in the 1:30 p.m. curtain-raiser followed by the 4 p.m. encounter between ZUS Coffee and Choco Mucho.

But the spotlight will be on the Chargers-High Speed Hitters much-anticipated collision hyped up by off-court drama following their 2024 Reinforced Conference Final Four game.

PLDT sports a 3-2 win-loss record but is reeling from back-to-back losses, putting heavier weight on its rematch against the same team that eliminated the club in a five-setter semis decision marred by a controversial unsuccessful challenge late in the match.

After winning their first three assignments, the High Speed Hitters dropped their last two against Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz.

Ace scorer Savi Davison is pumped up to experience her first PVL rivalry match after missing PLDT’s campaign in the import-laden mid-season conference due to a knee injury.

“I think rivalries are so interesting. I love being part of them. It just makes everything so much better and so much heavier. You know what I mean? It makes the win sweeter, makes the losses harder,” the Filipino-Canadian said.

Davison, currently the league’s third-leading scorer with 23.8 points per game, has Erika Santos, Fiola Ceballos, Dell Palomata, Majoy Baron and top libero Kath Arado to back her up.

Akari, on the other hand, is looking to start a winning streak after beating the Crossovers in four sets more than a month ago to snap a three-game skid.

The Chargers carry a 3-3 card in a tie with the Flying Titans.

“There’s no way to go but up especially coming from our previous games. We all want to improve and gel more as a team since this is a long conference,” Akari middle Fifi Sharma said.

Sharma along with Faith Nisperos will play PLDT for the first time in nine months after skipping the 2024 Reinforced Conference to play for the national team.

Japanese coach Taka Minowa will also bank on a healthier Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina, Eli Soyud, Erika Raagas and setter Kamille Cal to lead Akari into victory.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho seeks a second straight win against a Thunderbelles side trying to get back on the winning track after a sorry five-set loss to unbeaten five-peat-seeking Creamline.

ZUS Coffee holds a 2-3 mark in a two-way logjam at eighth to ninth place with sister team Foxies.

The Flying Titans narrowly escaped Farm Fresh in a five-set marathon to end their 2024 campaign.

The Foxies bannered by high-scoring winger Trisha Tubu are slightly favored against the Chameleons, who have no win to show after five starts.