SUMMIT SEEKERs: Angels target top spot vs surging Thunderbelles

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. — Farm Fresh and PLDT

6:30 p.m. — ZUS Coffee vs Petro Gazz

Petro Gazz is all geared up for a crucial battle in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, aiming to boost its bid for the top seeding against streaking ZUS Coffee at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

With the unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers (6-0) still idle, the Angels (6-1) seek to extend their winning streak and get past the defending champions in the current standings.

Since suffering a tough shutout loss to the defending champions last November, the Angels have bounced back impressively, racking up together five consecutive victories.

Their latest triumph, a hard-fought five-set win over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on 21 January, propelled them to 17 points — matching the Cool Smashers’ total.

“(They) are too strong in the middle. We have to prepare more sub-practice and block practice. No off. Also, we’ll do our best,” Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara said.

Facing the Thunderbelles at 6:30 p.m., the Angels are brimming with confidence but remain cautious, given ZUS Coffee’s recent resurgence.

The Thunderbelles have won back-to-back matches, including a four-set victory over the Crossovers last Thursday, improving to a 4-4 record and sharing the eighth spot with the Farm Fresh Foxies.

Led by the veteran duo of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chai Troncoso, ZUS Coffee has found its rhythm, with Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Chinnie Arroyo and playmaker Cloanne Mondonedo anchoring their core.

Kate Santiago and Gayle Pascual also continue to provide key contributions, making the Thunderbelles a formidable opponent.

“For now, it’s like, we’re like, whatever we can win, we’ll just keep going. No more projections,” said ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee in Filipino.

“We still have a lot to work on ourselves. It’s about who is in front of us and how we execute, how we respond to those kinds of situations.”

However, Petro Gazz enters the match well-rested and in peak form, ready to unleash its firepower in pursuit of the coveted top seed.

The Angels boast a deep and experienced lineup featuring Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, Aiza Pontillas, Joy Dacoron, Jonah Sabete and Nicole Tiamzon — players whose power and composure under pressure could prove decisive.

In the knockout phase, the No. 1 seed will face the No. 12 team, with the second-ranked squad taking on the No. 11 team, making every point crucial as teams position themselves for a favorable bracket.

Meanwhile, the 4 p.m. clash between PLDT (5-3) and Farm Fresh (4-4) also promises to be an intense battle, with both squads looking to strengthen their playoff standing in the tournament.

The High Speed Hitters are banking on their deep roster, featuring Savi Davison, Erika Santos, Majoy Baron, Kiesha Bedonia, Dell Palomata, Angge Alcantara and Fiola Ceballos.

The return of Kim Dy, who made her season debut last week after recovering from a knee injury, also adds firepower to their lineup.

On the other hand, the Foxies aim to build on their recent four-set victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers.