What To Expect in PVL: Farm Fresh-Nxled, ZUS-Choco Mucho, Akari-PLDT
Photo Source: PVL Images
As the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) continues its 2024-25 season, we are welcomed back by three thrilling games on January 18, Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
1:30 PM: Farm Fresh Foxies vs. Nxled Chameleons
Opening the day at 1:30 PM is the Farm Fresh Foxies vs. Nxled Chameleons. Currently sitting at the 9th spot at 2-3, the Foxies look to add a win to their tally. The Sato-led team boasts Trisha Tubu as the league’s Fourth-Best Scorer and Second-Best Spiker. Their setter, Louie Romero, takes first place in the category, Janel Delerio takes 9th place in Best Digger, and Alyssa Bertolano takes 5th place in Best Receiver.
The Foxies’ last game against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on December 12, 2024, ended with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss. Trisha Tubu recorded 31 points for the Foxies, but the Flying Titans overcame their two-set deficit.
The Nxled Chameleons have been struggling to build momentum to win sets. Led by Chen Gang, the Chameleons have tough players to face, such as Chiara Permentilla, who is currently ranked as the Sixth-Best Scorer and Seventh-Best Receiver. Teammate Lucille Almonte, the Third-Best Receiver, joins her in the latter category. Krich Macaslang also boasts the Ninth-Best Blocker title.
Given the current standings, the Foxies have the edge in this match-up. However, if the Chameleons can minimize errors and build momentum, it might lead to their first win of the season.
4:00 PM: Zus Thunderbelles v. Choco Mucho Flying Titans
At 4:00 PM, the Zus Thunderbelles will face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. The Thunderbelles, led by Jerry Yee, are ranked 8th with their 2-3 standings. Key players such as Cloanne Mondoñedo, ranked Seventh-Best Server and Fourth-Best Setter, Thea Gagate, ranked Fourth-Best Blocker, and Jovelyn Gonzaga, ranked Seventh-Best Spiker, all look to improve their team’s current standing.
In their last match against the Creamline Cool Smashers, the Tunderbelles lost 3-2. During the last set, the team led 11-9 but lost momentum, with the Cool Smashers taking the match win, 15-13.
On Saturday, their opponent will be the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. Led by Dante Alinsunurin, the Flying Titans have strong players to look out for. First in the ranking for Best Scorer is Sisi Rondina, who is also the current Ninth Best Receiver. Kat Tolentino also has double titles for the league as the Tenth-Best Scorer and Fifth-Best Blocker. Thang Ponce takes 3rd place in the Best Digger Category, Cherry Nunag in 10th place for Best Blocker, and Marion Alba in 5th place for Best Setter.
During their last match against the Farm Fresh Foxies, Sisi Rondina led the team with 26 points, with Kat Tolentino adding another 18 points. The team faced two consecutive defeat sets, but they overcame the challenge and bounced back for the last set to take the win, 15-12.
With the Flying Titans’ high-ranked players and recent performance, they seem most likely to win this match. However, if the Thunderbelles defend their momentum and hold onto their leads, they might win.
6:30 PM: Akari Chargers v. PLDT High Speed Hitters
The steaming rivalry between the Akari Chargers and the PLDT High Speed Hitters continues as they face each other again on January 18 at 6:330 PM.
The PVL Reinforced Conference semifinal between Akari and PLDT ended controversially after PLDT’s challenge for a net fault on Ezra Madrigal was denied at match point, 14-13. The High Speed Hitters, including Majoy Baron, strongly contested the decision, with fans voicing displeasure online. PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo explained that the net contact was not a fault under the FIVB rulebook, explaining that Ezra Madrigal had not committed a net fault since both her feet were on the floor. The net contact occurred after the ball play.
Both teams later issued statements, with PLDT expressing disappointment and Akari addressing safety concerns due to threats. This controversy would heighten the tension between both teams as they face each other again, charged by their unfinished business in 2024.
READ SIMILAR: TIMELINE: How the PVL Dispute Snowballed into a Full-blown Controversy
The Akari Chargers are ranked 6th in the overall standings with 3-3. After their exciting 2-win opener for the 2024-25 Season, they faced three consecutive match losses with no set wins against Creamline, Farm Fresh, and Petro Gazz, respectively.
However, the team returned with a 3-1 win against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for their match in 2024. The Chargers, led by Minowa, is a team full of talents. Ivy Lacsina holds Rank 5 for Best Scorer and Rank 4 for Best Spiker, Eli Soyud is the league’s current Eighth-Best Spiker, Fifi Sharma is the Eighth-Best Blocker, and Dani Ravena is the Tenth-Best Digger. Kamille Cal takes 9th Place for Best Setter and 6th Place for Best Server.
The PLDT High Speed Hitters, led by Ricafort, has strong players on the team, with Savannah Davison as the league’s First-Best Spiker and Third-Best Scorer. Erika Santos is in 3rd place in the Best Spiker category, Fiola Ceballos is in 5th place for Best Server, Angelica Alcantara is the Eighth-Best Setter, Kath Arado is the Fourth-Best Digger, and Majoy Baron is the First-Best Blocker, joined by Dell Palomata in 2nd.
The High Speed Hitters opened the season with three consecutive wins but birthed a losing streak with their matches against Chery and Petro Gazz. Both teams are almost on the same ground, hoping to bounce better and stronger from consecutive losses, resulting in a tight, exciting game.
