PLDT, Petro Gazz Clash as PVL Tour Hits Ilagan

Games today (Saturday)
Capital Arena, Ilagan City
4 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs. Choco Mucho
6:30 p.m. – PLDT vs. Petro Gazz

The Premier Volleyball League On Tour continues to deliver edge-of-your-seat action as it heads to Ilagan City for its fourth provincial leg, with a Saturday doubleheader promising intensity and intrigue.

Fresh from a commanding straight-sets win over Farm Fresh, PLDT looks to extend its momentum—but it won’t come easy.

The High Speed Hitters face a battle-tested Petro Gazz squad that boasts firepower, experience, and an All-Filipino crown in its résumé.

It’s a showdown between a surging contender and a decorated champion—just one of many compelling storylines fueling the PVL’s unpredictable preseason showcase.

After drawing big crowds in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Batangas City, and Montalban, Rizal, the spotlight now shifts to The Capital Arena in Ilagan, which hosts a PVL event of this scale for the first time.

Before the highly anticipated PLDT-Petro Gazz clash at 6:30 p.m., Choco Mucho and Farm Fresh square off at 4 p.m., both eager to rebound from recent losses.

The PVL On Tour has been anything but predictable.

Nothing illustrates the league’s wild nature better than last week’s five-set thrillers in Montalban, where ZUS Coffee and Chery Tiggo edged out Capital1 and Akari in nail-biting fashion.

This wave of drama—driven by overhauled rosters, standout rookies, and improved bench depth—has fans hooked and contenders on edge.

Traditional powerhouses are being tested, while upstart squads are rewriting the league’s hierarchy.

No team embodies this shift more than Nxled.

After struggling last season, the Chameleons now lead the league with a red-hot 2-0 start.

Powered by sensational rookie Lyann De Guzman, Nxled shocked Petro Gazz in five sets and dominated Choco Mucho in four.

De Guzman has been a revelation, scoring 21 points in the opener and exploding for 24 in the next—an emergence that has energized fans and reset expectations.

Choco Mucho, though, remains a contender.

It opened with a win over Galeries Tower and looks to rebound after stumbling against Nxled.

Led by Isa Molde, with steady contributions from Aduke Ogunsanya and Royse Tubino, and a spark from rookies Jen Villegas and Ayesha Juegos, Choco Mucho remains dangerous in Pool A.

Farm Fresh is still hunting its first win under new coach Alessandro Lodi.

Despite strong outings from Trisha Tubu and Rizza Cruz in their opener against PLDT, the Foxies fell in straight sets.

To break through, they’ll need more production from Caitlin Viray, Jolina Dela Cruz, Maicah Larroza, Louie Romero, and the rest of the support crew.

PLDT, meanwhile, is emerging as a serious contender.

Led by Kiesha Bedonia and Mika Reyes—who combined for 24 points in their debut—the High Speed Hitters are off to a strong start.

With added firepower from Jovie Prado, Majoy Baron and Kim Dy, and despite the absence of Savi Davison and national team middle Dell Palomata, PLDT is locked in.

Petro Gazz, however, remains a tough test.

The Angels, building off a bounce-back win, will count on Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete and Joy Dacoron to anchor their charge.

They continue to adjust to the absence of Alas Pilipinas standouts Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips.

More fireworks are expected Sunday, with Petro Gazz facing Farm Fresh at 4 p.m. and PLDT testing Choco Mucho at 6:30 p.m.