Focused PLDT, Army get PVL semis going

Mika Reyes remains as PLDT’s biggest weapon on both ends. —PVL PHOTO

PLDT will have the momentum against Army, and though fancied to prevail at the start of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) semifinals, coach George Pascua said his High Speed Hitters will surely not be taking anything for granted with one thing ingrained in their minds.

“Every game we have to give our best so we will not regret anything,” Pascua said as the PLDT-Army tussle at 4 p.m. on Tuesday takes the lid off of the six-team, internationally flavored playoffs at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. “The team’s mindset has been to pounce on every opportunity, to beat all our opponents.

“Our goal every conference is to improve on our standings. The job is not yet done,” Pascua had said a couple of days back after advancing past the eliminations with a win over undermanned Cignal. “We’re just getting started.”

This will be Pascua’s first semis appearance with PLDT after steering the squad to fifth place in the last conference.

Loaded arsenal

In contrast, the Lady Troopers dropped their final elimination round assignment to the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers and needed some outside help to get to the next round. Army got a free ride after also-ran Petro Gazz spoiled Choco Mucho’s own bid with a shock sweep of the crowd favorites.

But the Lady Troopers, led by skipper and top-hitter Jovelyn Gonzaga, ace playmaker Ivy Perez and Honey Royse Tubino, will not be easy pickings.

“It has been a collective effort, everybody is contributing. Unlike in the Open Conference, they are now playing with great chemistry, with character,” Pascua said.

The High Speed Hitters also pack a lot of firepower as they outhit the Lady Troopers, 52-41, in their four-set win in classification.

They also dominated the net defensively with eight blocks against their rivals’ four and cashed in on Army’s sloppy reception with six aces, five more than the Lady Troopers.

Kobe Shinwa of Japan and Taipei’s KingWhale crew have been seeded here and will debut on Aug. 8 as they clash in the 2:30 p.m. opener of an explosive twinbill capped by the Creamline-Cignal rematch at Mall of Asia Arena.

Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers mix it up with the Lady Troopers at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, while the Cignal HD kick off their finals drive against the High Speed Hitters at 5:30 p.m.

Both games will be played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, which will also host the Saturday matches pitting Cignal vs Army at 2:30 p.m. and Creamline vs PLDT at 5:30 p.m.