PVL: Unbeaten F2 Logistics, Chery Tiggo clash for share of lead

F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — F2 Logistics and Chery Tiggo put their respective unbeaten runs on the line when former colleagues Regine Diego and Aaron Velez collide for the first time in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

The Cargo Movers and Crossovers, who both won their first two games, clash for the share of the lead with idle Creamline (3-0) at 4 p.m.

F2 Logistics avoided a collapse before beating PLDT in five sets and took down Akari in a close straight-set win for a 2-0 start in the season opener.

Despite the good start, the new Cargo Movers’ coach Diego remained patient with their progress and stressed that they cannot be contented in their first two wins.

“We can’t say that this is our destination. This is still a journey. And we’re just getting started to prepare with me as their head coach. So it’s different and I have to be patient because I cannot expect a lot. I have to make them feel first what I want them to translate [from practice to games],” Diego said in Filipino.

“We have to be patient in learning. We can’t do it overnight. We have to really process everything, and hopefully, we will become solid as a team. It’s normal for a team to be really inconsistent in the first few games. In fairness to them, they are consistently learning. Hopefully, we get better every game,” she added.

Chery Tiggo coach and team manager Velez is excited to face Diego, his former colleague when they worked as assistant coaches of Babes Castillo for National University’s girls’ and women’s volleyball programs.

“I think it’s really going to be an interesting match. I’ve worked with Coach Regine in the past, and also I’m always looking forward to a good, competitive, and aggressive match with Coach Regine,” Velez said.

Mylene Paat and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers. –PVL PHOTO

Diego is also looking forward to going up against her former colleague but her focus remains on her team.

“I worked with Aaron at  NU for the longest time. Yeah, it’s very exciting to play with people I worked with before. And of course, I respect him, he’s a really good coach. Let’s see,” she said. “We have to focus on ourselves first.”

Velez admitted that F2 Logistics is a strong team composed of seasoned players like Myla Pablo, Kianna Dy, Ivy Lacsina, Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Cha Cruz-Behag, Kim Fajardo, and libero Dawn Macandili. 

But he wants Mylene Paat, Shaya Adorador, Jasmine Nabor, and Buding Duremdes to remember that they are champion players, too.

“They’re a very tall team. Of course, they also have championship experience. That’s our motivation because we were also champions, and everybody has experienced that in our own rights,” said the Chery Tiggo coach, who won the 2021 PVL Ilocos Norte Bubble — the first professional volleyball crown in the country.

“I think whoever has a better preparation and better mindset will have an edge. We will treat them with respect,” he added as he also banks on EJ Laure, Cza Carandang, Pauline Gaston, and Alina Bicar.

Meanwhile, PLDT and Army, who both lost their respective season-opening campaigns, clash for their first win at 6:30 p.m.