On red alert

On red alert | Daily Tribune

Opening serve is set at 6:30 p.m. after the curtain-raiser feature pitting Farm Fresh against Nxled at 4 p.m.

The High Speed Hitters resume action a week after the cancellation of their meeting with ZUS Coffee slated at Santiago, Isabela due to extreme weather brought about by tropical depression “Maymay.”

“It’s just unfortunate that our Isabela game was canceled. We could’ve completed our build-up,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort, referring to the team’s preparation for its title defense in the Invitational Conference.

“But we’re here now for our last game. We won’t take this game for granted or just a match we have to go through. We prepared and worked for this,” he added.

“Although it’s a quick turnaround from the canceled game, this will serve as part of our preparation because the Invitationals will start after just a couple of weeks.

PLDT defeated Choco Mucho, 25-21, 20-25, 29-27, 25-18, in its opening assignment last 25 July in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Kim Kianna Dy, Savi Davison, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes and Alleiah Malaluan are out to flex their firepower while libero Kath Arado, a proud daughter of Lanao Del Norte and a native of Iligan City, wants to showcase her defensive prowess in front of her kababayans.

Newly acquired winger Leila Cruz will sit out the match as she tries to adjust to Ricafort’s system following her transfer from Capital1.

On the other hand, the Chargers are shooting for back-to-back wins as a fitting follow-up to their 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22 triumph over Choco Mucho.

Akari head coach Tina Salak pins her hopes on Chenie Tagaod, a Davao del Norte native, Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones and Faith Nisperos.

Meanwhile, after a sorry loss to Creamline to begin its On Tour Showdown run, the Chameleons have won back-to-back — sweeping Capital1 and Galeries Tower in Vigan and Polomolok, South Cotabato, respectively.

“We are a team that really loves to put ourselves under pressure. So, we know we’re gonna play with a very good team, Farm Fresh. So, we know it’s gonna be a tough game,” Nxled Italian coach Ettore Guidetti said.

“We try to prepare the team in the best way possible. The team is definitely OK. We are playing a good game. So, we are pretty positive to offer, I hope to a big crowd — the best show ever about fighting,” he added.

Myla Pablo, EJ Laure-Carino, MJ Phillips, Jonah Sabete-Escamillan and top setter Gel Cayuna lead Chameleons charge.

The Foxies will try to bounce back from a 17-25, 26-24, 19-25, 24-26 upset at the hands of Galeries Tower in Batangas a month ago.

Leading the way for Farm Fresh are Trisha Tubu, Ara Galang, Ces Molina and Royse Tubino.