ILOILO City – Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is making a return at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium here after four years with a pair of 2023 All-Filipino Conference crucial matches this afternoon.
First to faceoff at four in the afternoon are the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz Angels and 2021 PVL All-Filipino Conference champions Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
The Angels, now under head coach Oliver Almadro, is already assured of a semifinals seat with its 5-2 win-loss record but are looking to beat the Crossovers to enhance their Final Four seeding.
The Crossovers, which currently has 4-3 win-loss record for fifth place in the standings, are in a must-win situation via straight sets to still have a shot at the fourth and last Final Four seat.
The Angels are to be led by Passi City, Iloilo-native Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Negrense Jonah Sabete, while the Crossovers will parade a pair of Ilonggas in libero Ria Beatriz Duremdes and Ma. Shaya Adorador.
Defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers and already eliminated Akari Power Chargers are set to battle in the second game at six in the evening.
The Cool Smashers, which is on top with 6-1 record, is looking for a morale-boosting win heading into the playoffs while the 2-4 Power Changers aims to pull off an upset as they exit the tournament.
The Cool Smashers will have Bacolod City-native Fille Cainglet-Cayetano on its roster, while the Power Chargers has Ilongga Danielle “Dani” Ravena and Negrense Christine Joy Soyud.
Prior to today, the last time the PVL played an official game in Iloilo City was last October 5, 2019 featuring the Angels-Pacific Town Army Lady Troopers game and the Cool Smashers-Choco Mucho Flying Titans encounter at the SanAg Gym.
“We are very thankful to the PVL for allowing Iloilo City to host a double-header PVL games after four years,” Gametime Sports founder Rodolfo Go Villaruz told Panay News on Monday.
“The Ilonggo volleyball fans were very much looking forward to this since before the pandemic hit us as this was an opportunity for them to be closer to their volleyball idols again,” he added./PN
