F2, Cignal target solo lead in Group B; PLDT, Akari collide

GROUP B leaders clash in a pair of tough matches tipped to go down-to-the-wire even as PLDT and Akari kick off their campaign in Group A in the third elimination playdate of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Saturday.

F2 Logistics and Cignal slug it out in a key face-off with the winner gaining the edge in what looms to be a wild race to the semis among six teams. The Cargo Movers dispatched the Farm Fresh Foxies in three while the HD Spikers repulsed the Petro Gazz Angels in four in last Tuesday’s opener of the mid-season tournament of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Th at makes their 6 p.m. encounter crucial in their semis bids with F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego upbeat of their chances to make it back-toback behind a solid crew reinforced by three ace rookies.

Former middle Ivy Lacsina expects to get better in a new role as open spiker after leading the Cargo Movers’ romp over the Foxies with 13 points while Aby Maraño, Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, who combined for 26 points, have always been ready to provide leadership and support, along with Myla Pablo, Ara Galang and Kim Fajardo. But what makes F2, which finished fourth in the recent PVL All-Filipino Conference, formidable is the presence of rookies Jolina dela Cruz and setter Marionne Alba, who debuted with seven and five points, respectively.

A gainst the veteran-laden HD Spikers, however, Diego is likely to go for Fajardo majority of the way to guarantee smoother play as they try to zero in on one of the two slots in the next round.

W ith a single-round format in the two-division elims setup among 11 teams, every game counts and like F2, expect Cignal, bannered by Ces Molina, Roselyn Doria, Riri Meneses, the come-backing Jovelyn Gonzaga

L afferty will be watching at the sidelines when Obiena jumps—and the one thing that excites him is, it will happen in Duplantis’ hometown.

Secondly, it’s in Mondo’s backyard. And that makes it hyper competitive. The best in the world is in front of his hometown fans. Thirdly, it’s the first autoqualifier for the Olympics. Day 2 of the qualification,” Lafferty explained.

Duplantis, however, is coming from a record-breaking feat in Ostrava, Czech Republic—where he erased his previous record with a new 6.12-m to win the gold, while Obiena settled for bronze medal with 5.90-m behind Marschall who also had the same clearance but got the silver by countback.

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EJ would like to qualify as soon as possible and put this objective in the bag. So he can focus on other key objectives,” Lafferty said.