AIMING FOR PERFECTION: Chameleons, Flying Titans risk spotless slates
MYLA Pablo and Nxled are tipped to go all out as they battle Choco Mucho to preserve their perfect slate in the PVL Season 10 Siklab series on Thursday.
Photograph courtesy of PVL
Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Nxled
6 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs Choco Mucho
Nxled and Choco Mucho put their pristine records on the line against their respective opponents today at the Mall of Asia Arena to stay in the top spot of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 Siklab series.
Former Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle and the veteran-laden Chameleons are first to take center stage, crossing paths with rebuilding Galeries Tower.
Opening serve of the appetizer match is at 1 p.m.
After the Spikers’ Turf clash between National University-Archipelago Builders and Alpha Insurance at 3:30 p.m. follows the 6 p.m. PVL main feature pitting the crowd darling Flying Titans against rebound-seeking Farm Fresh.
Nxled and Choco Mucho share the lead with defending champion Creamline after winning their first two assignments.
The Chameleons turned to seasoned stars Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, Jackie Acuna and MJ Phillips and their solid blocking to pull off a great escape over the Foxies, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12, last Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
While Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti lauds his team’s commitment to net defense, he still has concerns regarding chemistry, especially with Van Sickle just reintegrating to the system after almost half a year of absence due to a shoulder injury.
“As I told you, we have to take care of our side-out. And try to get to know each other much better. Yes, we know almost all the players. But not all the players know Brooke. So, this is an important one, where they put in. It’s a big help. But I really think that it’s kind of difficult to ask my setter (Gel Cayuna) to be super connected to Brooke after only two games. So, we are progressing. We are getting better,” the Italian coach said.
The Chameleons approach the game with caution as the Highrisers despite dropping their first two game remain dangerous.
In fact, the two teams split their head-to-head in the same tournament last season. Galeries Tower beat Nxled in the elimination round in four sets before the Chameleons scored a payback in the second phase of the knockout Play-in Tournament.
“For sure, we don’t make the same mistake that we made one year ago underestimating any kind of opponent, especially Galeries,” Guidetti said.
The Highrisers do pose as a big threat as they gave the Cool Smashers a hard time in their game last Saturday before bowing, 29-27, 18-25, 19-25, 18-25.
Erika Deloria has been a steady offensive force for Galeries Tower but will need a lot more help from Shola Alvarez, Jean Asis, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Roselle Baliton and rookie setter Lams Lamina to break into the win column.