PVL On Tour enters sudden-death knockout stage

Games today (Saturday)
4 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs. Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs. Galeries Tower

From a prelims phase full of surprises and reversals, the PVL On Tour raises the stakes as it shifts to a do-or-die knockout stage—a stretch expected to deliver more drama, unpredictability, and thrilling volleyball action leading to the finals.

The crossover matchups initially pit higher-seeded squads against lower-ranked opponents, but rankings no longer guarantee results.

In this high-pressure phase, where every match is a virtual final, even winless teams have a shot at redemption—making each playdate must-watch volleyball.

Action begins today, Aug. 2, at the newly built Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite, with Farm Fresh (No. 3, Pool A) facing Capital1 (No. 6, Pool B) at 4 p.m., followed by Chery Tiggo (No. 3, Pool B) against Galeries Tower (No. 6, Pool A) at 6:30 p.m.

On paper, the Foxies and Crossovers appear poised to dominate, but the Solar Spikers and Highrisers are hungry for a breakthrough, setting the stage for tightly contested matches.

Despite a winless prelims run, Capital1 showed flashes of brilliance through Sydney Niegos, Rovena Instrella, Rachel Austero, and Shola Alvarez.

They now aim to turn setbacks into a long-awaited breakthrough.

Farm Fresh, still reeling from a straight-set loss to Nxled, looks to bounce back confidently under Italian coach Alessandro Lodi.

Trisha Tubu, Jolina dela Cruz, Rizza Cruz, veteran Rachel Ann Daquis, and rookie playmaker Alohi Robins-Hardy lead the charge.

Chery Tiggo also seeks to regain form after consecutive losses, including a five-set heartbreaker to ZUS Coffee.

Coach Norman Miguel remains confident in his veteran core—Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Imee Hernandez, Aby Maraño, and Shaya Adorador—alongside dynamic rookies Renee Peñafiel and Jyne Soreño.

Galeries Tower, which won only one set in five prelims games, hopes for a fresh start.

Frances Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, and Jewel Encarnacion, with rookie Jean Asis, could pull off a surprise if they click when it matters most.

The knockout excitement continues Tuesday, Aug. 5, with Petro Gazz (No. 4, Pool A) battling Akari (No. 5, Pool B) at 4 p.m., followed by ZUS Coffee (No. 4, Pool B) clashing with Choco Mucho (No. 5, Pool A).

These matches will determine the final four teams joining PLDT, Cignal, Nxled, and Creamline—the top four squads with outright slots—in the Last 8.

While the seeded teams return from a well-earned break, they will face energized, battle-hardened opponents coming off emotional, energy-draining knockout wins.

This sets the stage for even more intense clashes in the quarterfinals and beyond.

Every match from here on is a battle for survival, making this stage of the preseason tournament organized by Sports Vision even more electrifying as the race to the crown becomes an all-out, unpredictable sprint.