PVL quarters hostilities resume

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT hopes to join sister team Cignal in the semifinals as it clashes with dangerous Chery Tiggo even as Creamline and Petro Gazz renew their rivalry today in the other half of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinals at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

PLDT (6-2) finished higher than Chery Tiggo (5-3) in the elims although the High Speed Hitters went down to a 25-19, 20-25, 25-0, 21-25, 15-10 loss in their second-round match last Aug. 3.

“Bawi kami sa next game,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort ahead of their 4 p.m. showdown.

Russian Elena Sampoilenko vowed to give it their best shot.

“Every game we want to win,” she said.

The winner of the PLDT-Chery Tiggo match will advance to the semis versus Akari, which eliminated Farm Fresh, 17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.

There is also much on the line for Creamline, which is seeking to extend its tradition of claiming podium finishes.

The Cool Smashers have been top three finishers in each of the last 14 tourneys.

Eight times, they went all the way to nail the crown. And they’re now in chase of a three-peat feat.

It won’t be a walk in the park though, for sure, versus Petro Gazz.