Pasig: Akari aims to bounce back against Farm Fresh and secure a direct quarterfinal berth in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Chargers, last year’s Reinforced Conference runners-up, will face the Foxies at 4 p.m. Grethcel Soltones is expected to return from a hand strain to lead Akari, alongside players Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos, Ced Domingo, Erika Raagas, Camille Victoria, and Fifi Sharma.
The sixth-seeded Foxies, who previously defeated the Chargers with scores of 25-23, 25-21, 25-14 on November 30, will rely on Trisha Tubu, Jolina dela Cruz, Caitlin Viray, Aly Bertolano, Louie Romero, Maicah Larroza, Rizza Cruz, Lorene Toring, and Rachel Ann Daquis. Daquis notably scored 19 points in Farm Fresh’s victory over Capital1 on February 18.
Farm Fresh mentor Benson Bocboc expressed optimism about the team’s prospects. He noted that with key players like Jolina dela Cruz and Rachel Daquis returning, the team’s performance could improve significantly as they complete their roster.
In another match, No. 4 PLDT aims to secure an automatic quarterfinal spot against No. 9 ZUS Coffee at 6:30 p.m. The High Speed Hitters, with players Savi Davison, Fiola Ceballos, Dell Palomata, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, and Mika Reyes, previously defeated the Thunderbelles in straight sets on February 22 in Iloilo.
ZUS Coffee’s lineup includes Chai Troncoso, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, Michelle Gamit, Kate Santiago, Gayle Pascual, and Chinnie Arroyo as they prepare to challenge PLDT.
Several teams, including defending champion and top seed Creamline, No. 2 Petro Gazz, No. 5 Choco Mucho, and No. 10 Galeries Tower, have already secured their places in the next round. Meanwhile, the final two quarterfinal spots will be determined in a play-in tournament. Six teams – Cignal, Nxled, Capital1, Chery Tiggo, and the losers of today’s matches – will compete in a single-round elimination starting Thursday.
