SMELLING THE COFFEE: Streaking Crossovers wary of red-hot Thunderbelles

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs ZUS Coffee

6:30 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Farm Fresh

Chery Tiggo knows how much ZUS Coffee has improved following some key acquisitions during the offseason.

The Thunderbelles are no longer a pushover team after giving fits to other more established clubs in the ongoing 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

That’s why the Crossovers are not letting their guards down when they meet in thrilling encounter that will boost their chances for the playoffs today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Game time is at 4 p.m. followed by the 6:30 main game pitting struggling Galeries Tower against Farm Fresh.

Both Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee are looking to ride the momentum of their previous victories to improve their place in the standings.

The Crossovers are fresh from a four-set win over the Foxies, 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-20, last Saturday behind the 21-point explosion of Cess Robles and 20 markers of veteran hitter Ara Galang.

Chery Tiggo will have a slight edge in experience and team chemistry over the young but fast-rising club energized by the arrival of seasoned veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga.

However, the Crossovers remain wary of the Thunderbelles, who swept Capital1, 31-29, 25-15, 25-15, the last time out.

“It’s better if we focus more on our movement as a team. Given that we’re going up against Zus, it’s important that we execute well and apply our system,” Galang said.

“We need to follow whatever instructions coach (Norman Miguel) will give us. We should adapt quickly to the adjustments during the game and execute.”

Aside from Gonzaga, the arrival of another experienced winger in Chai Trongcoso brought stability to a team filled with youngbloods led by No. 1 overall pick in the first-ever Draft Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Kate Santiago, setter Cloanne Mondoñedo and Gayle Pascual.

ZUS Coffee fashions 3-4 mark tied with sister team Farm Fresh.

“We’ll just try to execute our game plan. If we win, then good for us. If not, we’ll just try to be better,” Thunderbelles coach Jerry Yee said.

Meanwhile, the Foxies are raring to get back on the winning track behind Trisha Tubu, Jolina dela Cruz, who was limited to just seven points last game following a 20-point debut, Rizza Cruz, Alyssa Bertolano and setter Louie Romero.

The Highrisers are out to arrest a two-game slide that pulled them down to a 1-6 card tied with Capital1.

Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacion, France Ronquillo, Andrea Marzan, and rookie playmaker Julia Coronel are expected to bring their A-game to get Galeries Tower out of its current slump.