Spikers, Angels duel for 3rd semis seat

MANILA, Philippines — The Perlas Spikers hope to ride on their unbeaten run in the single round phase as they slug it out with the equally fired-up Angels in what promises to be a highly charged encounter between top contenders in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Gametime is at 4 p.m.

“We’re feeling good because we have been winning, four wins (in the quarterfinals) and six in-a-row dating from the eliminations so this is a good confidence booster for the players coming into this game,” said Spikers coach Dong Dela Cruz.

But Petro Gazz, coming off its own three-game win run after a loss at the start of the quarters, hopes to force a three-way tie at 4-1 with BanKo-Perlas and Pocari Sweat-Air Force while also seeking superior tiebreak points by winning in three or four sets against the Spikers.

If that happens, the Angels will secure the third semis seat while BanKo-Perlas and Pocari Sweat-Air Force will figure in a playoff match for the last semifinal ticket on Friday.

The Angels have actually won their last three games in the quarterfinals against Tacloban, BaliPure-National University and Iriga-Navy in straight sets and should be in top form against the Perlas Spikers.

But they must beat the Spikers in three or four sets since a five-set win would net Petro Gazz lower tiebreak points, thus conceding the third semifinal seat to the Perlas Spikers.