Fresh from a nine-day hiatus, Philippine Army guns for a third straight victory against PLDT Home Telpad today even as Systema and Rizal Technological U shoot for a share of the lead in the men’s division of the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Third Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Troopers and Turbo Boosters take the floor at 6 p.m. with Army, which ruled the Open Conference just two months ago, fancied to pull off the win and complete a sweep of the first round of the eliminations.
Systema and RTU square off at 4 p.m. with the winner joining Instituto Estetico Manila on top of the standings.
Both the Active Smashers and Blue Thunder are coming off a pair of thrilling five-set victories with Systema outlasting FEU last Oct. 7.
RTU completed an impressive comeback from a set down to overcome the Volley Masters last Sunday.
IEM paces the four-team men’s field with a 2-1 card with RTU and Systema toting identical 1-1 slates and FEU struggling with a 1-2 mark.
Army has not played since Oct. 7 when it stunned the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns in a pulsating five-setter last Oct. 7.
But the reigning Open Conference champions are still expected to come out strong with their deep and talented roster led by former Most Valuable Players MJ Balse, Nene Bautista and Rachel Anne Daquis.
The Turbo Boosters opened their campaign with a straight-set win over Meralco last Oct. 9 but absorbed a straight-set loss to Cagayan Valley in their next game.
PLDT’s hopes of rebounding from a loss will depend on the performances of former MVP Sue Roces, Ryzabelle Devanadera, Gretchel Soltones, Angela Benting, Laurence Ann Latigay and Charo Soriano.