Crossovers, Thunderbelles Battle for Playoff Spot

Games Today (Thursday)
4 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs. ZUS Coffee
6:30 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs. Farm Fresh

Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee look to build on their recent victories as they clash in a pivotal match today in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

With the knockout phase approaching, both teams aim to strengthen their playoff chances. The Crossovers and Thunderbelles face off at 4 p.m. in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.

Chery Tiggo boosted its playoff bid last weekend with a four-set win against the Farm Fresh Foxies, improving to a 5-3 record. The victory placed them in a three-way tie for fourth with PLDT High Speed Hitters and Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

However, PLDT leads the group with 15 points, followed by Chery Tiggo with 14 and Choco Mucho with 12.

The league’s scoring system adds urgency to each match, as straight-set or four-set wins earn three points, while five-set matches grant two points to the winner and one to the loser. Teams losing in three or four sets earn no points, making every set crucial.

With only 11 playdates left before the knockout round, the competition tightens as nine teams vie for playoff spots.

The unique format pits the No. 1 seed against No. 12, No. 2 against No. 11, and so forth. Winners advance to the quarterfinals, while losers compete in a play-in tournament for the final two quarterfinal slots.

Chery Tiggo hopes to sustain its momentum, led by key players Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador, and Cza Carandang. Head coach Norman Miguel remains optimistic about the team’s playoff experience and chemistry.

“It’s better for us to focus on our team’s movements, regardless of the opponent,” Galang said. “Against ZUS, we need to execute properly and adapt to the coaches’ system.” Galang recently delivered a standout performance with 20 points.

ZUS Coffee, however, is prepared to fight back. Veterans Chai Troncoso and Jovelyn Gonzaga anchor the Thunderbelles, supported by rising stars Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Gayle Pascual, and Chinnie Arroyo.

Head coach Jerry Yee’s deep roster, featuring contributors Kate Santiago, Ypril Tapia, and playmaker Cloanne Mondoñedo, makes ZUS a formidable underdog.

“We work hard, execute, and aim to improve, win or lose,” Yee said.

In the second match at 6:30 p.m., the Farm Fresh Foxies seek to recover from their loss to the Crossovers as they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

Farm Fresh holds a 3-4 record compared to Galeries Tower’s 1-6, but the Highrisers have shown resilience, taking strong teams like Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo to five sets in earlier matches.

Foxies head coach Benson Bocboc relies on offensive standouts Trisha Tubu, Aly Bertolano, Louie Romero, and Caitlin Viray to secure a crucial win.

Galeries Tower head coach Lerma Giron, meanwhile, counts on Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacio, and Jho Maraguinot to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The tournament, organized by Sports Vision and supported by Watsons, Arena Plus, and Mikasa, airs live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and pvl.ph.