TEST OF TEAMWORK: Flying Titans, HD Spikers look to bolster playoff bids

TEST OF TEAMWORK: Flying Titans, HD Spikers look to bolster playoff bids | Daily Tribune

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Nxled

6:30 p.m. — Cignal vs ZUS Coffee

Choco Mucho and Cignal gun for crucial victories in a bid to boost their respective playoff chances in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Flying Titans face struggling Nxled at 4 p.m. while the HD Spikers slug it out with dangerous ZUS Coffee at 6:30 p.m. for a victory that will give them momentum heading into the playoffs of this women’s professional club league.

Riding the crest of a four-game winning streak for a 6-3 win-loss card, hopes are high on the Flying Titans as the group of Sisi Rondina, Dindin Manabat, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag and Des Cheng has been playing beautiful music together, especially in their last game against Akari, where they pulled off a 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15 victory.

Setter Deanna Wong said their teamwork, discipline and camaraderie inside the court has been doing wonders, making them one of the league’s hottest teams behind unbeaten Creamline and the surging Petro Gazz.

“That’s it, teamwork. One person alone can’t win a game. We’re happy because little by little, we are reaching the goal we want to achieve, so we’re really glad that things are going this way,” said Wong in Filipino.

Against the Chameleons, the Flying Titans’ vaunted teamwork will be put to the test.

Despite sporting a cellar-dwelling 1-8 record, the Chameleons are eager to build on its first win of the season — a four-set triumph over the Highrisers last weekend. Nxled bannered by EJ Laure, Chiara Permentilla, May Luna, Jaycel delos Reyes and Lycha Ebon, are aiming to play spoiler, hoping to spring an upset against Choco Mucho.

Nxled head coach Ettore Guidett of Italy remains optimistic despite the team’s struggles, emphasizing their growth and development as a unit.

“In the beginning, honestly, there was a big gap between us and some of the other teams. Right now, we’ve shortened the gap. That day is today, so we are looking for more in the next game and to show everyone that this is just the beginning,” said Guidetti after securing their first victory.

Meanwhile, Cignal looks to bounce back from a tough stretch as it faces ZUS Coffee in the nightcap.

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats against league leaders Creamline and PLDT, the HD Spikers regained confidence with a dominant win over Capital1 last week.

Cignal will lean on its veteran core to sustain its position in the upper echelon of the standings. Despite losing key players Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, the team has remained competitive and looks to extend its winning ways.

On the other hand, ZUS Coffee (4-5) is in dire need of a win to stay in the hunt for a Top 6 finish. The Thunderbelles have displayed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their last match against Petro Gazz, where Kate Santiago exploded for 21 points.

She will be instrumental alongside Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual and Chinnie Arroyo as they attempt to pull off a crucial upset.

Veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chai Troncoso are also expected to provide leadership for the Thunderbelles, who are looking ahead to a must-win battle against PLDT on 22 February.

With the preliminary round winding down, teams are scrambling for favorable seeding ahead of the knockout phase.

Under the International Volleyball Federation ranking system, standings will be determined based on wins, points, and set ratios, with the top 12 teams advancing to the playoffs.

The top six teams will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while the bottom six will compete in a play-in tournament for the last two spots, ensuring a high-stakes road to the next round.