PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers collide in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
PLDT and Chery Tiggo, both carrying identical records of 5-1 and 15 points, meet at 6 p.m. in the nightcap of a triple-header that starts with the battle between Cignal and Petro Gazz at 2 p.m. followed by the match between Akari and Choco Mucho at 4 p.m.
Based on the win-loss record, however, defending champion Creamline leads the pack with a perfect 5-0 slate but points-wise, the Cool Smashers only have 14 points, one behind the Speed Hitters and the Crossovers.
After starting the conference with a setback, the High Speed Hitters have found the right connection and won five straight games, including a 29-27, 25-14, 25-18 sweep of newcomer Galeries Tower last Thursday.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort, however, believes that his team has not really been tested yet in this tournament and he wants his players to prepare mentally against a powerhouse team like Chery Tiggo.
"The standings don't really mean a lot because we have many games when we're just facing new teams. Our real tests will be on our next games. We still have a lot to go to keep up with the top teams," said Ricafort.
"We need to prepare mentally especially against the top teams. The mental part is really crucial so we can get a win against the big teams."
The Crossovers, meanwhile, have shifted into a higher gear and scored a 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 28-26 triumph over the Nxled Chameleons last Thursday.
Chery Tiggo didn't come out unscathed against Nxled, though, as ace middle blocker Imee Hernandez exited the game in the second set with an apparent knee injury after a bad fall.
While she made her return from the dugout, Hernandez did not play anymore and there is no official word yet from the team if she is available to play against PLDT.
"We will just stick with our system and with our players. We have players who didn't play that much [against Nxled], so hopefully they can perform when they're given a chance [against PLDT]. We're ready for this Saturday's game," said Chery Tiggo assistant coach KungFu Reyes.