ONE week into the compact Premier Volleyball League Invitational eliminations, three teams appeared headed to the next phase with two straight victories in their respective brackets, one made a smashing debut, while two others split their first two matches.
While the semis race remains wide-open and the Final Four cast as hazy as ever, one thing is crystal clear — the big guns are still in control.
While newcomers Foton, Gerflor and Farm Fresh have the necessary abilities and qualities to become future contenders, it will take them a hard and long process before they could reach their desired competitive level and meet their respective targets.
Creamline, F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho are off to fast starts in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision where the top two teams from each group after the single round eliminations advance to the next round.
The Cool Smashers posted a pair of 3-0 romps over Chery Tiggo and Gerflor to kick-start their title-retention drive and while the 9-day break gives the rest, primarily those seeking to gate-crash the Final Four party, the chance to develop chemistry and sharpen their skills, it will further firm up the games of those in command.
Shutting down the Foxies and trouncing the Cignal HD Spikers in four, the Cargo Movers, with a souped-up roster, underscored their readiness to go all the way to the championship after placing fourth in the recent All-Filipino Conference.
With former middle Ivy Lacsina appearing to thrive as an open spiker and their three rookies showing great potentials, observers fear F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego might be soon fretting over not where to find talents but who to go to at crunch time.
“I’m happy we have a lot of options now but I have to make sure that they gel together,” said Diego, whose deep bench includes Dy, Aby Maraño, Myla Pablo, Major Baron, Ara Galang, Elaine Kasilag, Shola Alvarez, Elaine Kasilag, playmaker Kim Fajardo and liberos Dawn Macandili.
Add spikers Jolina dela Cruz and Jovelyn Fernandez and setter Marionne Alba, the Cargo Movers do expect to deliver the championship with Diego confident her wards will get better, stronger after the break.
“Yung mga lapses namin happened because di pa sila ganun ka-connected. We still have a lot to learn. Madami pa kaming kailangan ayusin, i-adjust at i-work out,” said Diego. “We can’t stop, it’s just the second game. It’s not done yet.”
“We’re super happy that these rookies chose to be part of F2,” said Dy, whose 23-point explosion powered the team past the HD Spikers to get to 2-0 in Group B. “Maganda ang addition nila sa team, everyone has her own contributions, so tulung-tulungan lang kami until the end.”
