Games Tuesday(PhilSports Arena)2:30 p.m. — Cignal vs Choco Mucho5:30 p.m. — Petro Gazz vs F2
CIGNAL and Choco Mucho chase the last ticket to the semifinal bus today in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, which returns to the PhilSports Arena.
The HD Spikers, currently at No. 4 with a 4-3 record and 11 points, would advance to the next phase if they trounce the Flying Titans or lose via a five-setter in their 2:30 p.m. encounter since they have superior points quotient.
In the FIVB-based format implemented by the league, a victory by three or four sets is equivalent to the full three points, a win by five sets two points and a loss by five sets one point.
“We just have to play our game and get that win,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos, whose 25-21, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20 triumph over F2 Logistics last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum propelled them closer to the semis.
For the Flying Titans, who are at No. 6 with a 3-4 mark and nine points, they would need to win by four or less sets to claim the last slot.
Otherwise, it would be over for a team looking for a semis return after failing to make it that far in the Invitational last August.
But Choco Mucho’s fate hangs in the balance as it is uncertain if Odina Aliyeva would play or not after missing the team’s 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, 28-26 setback to sister team Creamline in a game that was attended by a league-record 19,157 crowd at the MOA Arena last Thursday.
Ms. Aliyeva sat out due to health reasons.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz (5-2) and F2 (3-4) face off in a non-bearing clash at 5:30 p.m.
The Angels have clinched the third semis berth and joined the Grand Slam-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers (7-1) and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers (6-2) while the Cargo Movers were already eliminated from the semis race. — Joey Villar