Entertaining and unexpected results during the PVL on Tour preliminaries have set up some intriguing matchups as teams gear up for the playoffs of the preseason tiff, where young teams have shown promise while erstwhile championship contenders struggle.
With former cellar dwellers like the Nxled Chameleons making a surprise run to an outright quarterfinals, and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles completing upsets over more experienced teams, it seems like former dark horses have emerged as viable contenders.
Meanwhile, the Petro Gazz Angels and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans were relegated to the knockout play-ins, and perennial championship contenders Creamline Cool Smashers were at the brink of also not making it to the quarters immediately.
Due to budding rookies and various player eligibility concerns, the PVL preseason has turned up new possibilities with the emergence of players like Lyann De Guzman, AC Miner, and Jean Asis, among others.
While the exclusion of Alas Pilipinas players makes it difficult to ascertain the full picture, the PVL is shaping up to be more unpredictable in the coming conference.
Before the season proper begins later this year, teams will be vying for the preseason crown via knockout matches.
One Sports zooms in on specific matchups and potential clashes in store for the teams in the PVL on Tour.
KO #1: Farm Fresh Foxies vs Capital1 Solar Spikers
The Farm Fresh Foxies under new management of Italian mentor Alessandro Lodi have shown much potential in the PVL on Tour, as they nabbed big wins despite missing out on the outright quarterfinals berth.
In Ilagan City earlier this month, Farm Fresh caught big fish in championship calibre teams Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz.
Already ripe for improvement with the likes of young guns Trisha Tubu and Cait Viray joining forces with veterans Rachel Anne Daquis—along with newcomer duo Ces Molina and Riri Meneses, Farm Fresh is definitely a team to watch.
They face a Capital1 team sorely missing top pick Bella Belen as the Solar Spikers ended up winless in the preliminary round.
But the Solar Spikers have been known to pull off surprises, just like they did with Marina Tushova in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. With the likes of Shola Alvarez, Trisha Genesis, Jorelle Singh and rookie draft pick Pia Abbu, there is still a lot of potential for Capital1.
Awaiting the winner of this knockout round will be tasked to test an up-and-down Creamline Cool Smashers that have looked a bit more vulnerable than usual.
They face off on Saturday, August 2, at the Dasmariñas Arena.
KO #2: Chery Tiggo Crossovers vs Galeries Tower Highrisers
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers were among the hottest teams in the preseason before they were unceremoniously dumped into the knockout play-ins, after ending the prelims on a two-game slump.
After a setback against the Cool Smashers in Iloilo, the Crossovers let the opportunity slip with an unfortunate five-set loss to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to wrap up the preliminaries in Candon City.
But Chery Tiggo has been the source of surprises — including a four-set victory over Pool B leaders Cignal.
With offense coming from the likes of Ara Galang, Cess Robles, and drafted rookie Baby Jyne Soreño, there is enough firepower to go around.
But the Galeries Tower Highrisers will have lots of motivation to stage another upset — especially coming off of the heels of a maiden quarterfinals stint back in the All-Filipino Conference earlier this year.
Despite going 0-5 in the preliminaries, second overall pick Jean Asis has had lots of time to integrate with the Highrisers. And if second-year player Jewel Encarnacion is able to amp up the offense along with France Ronquillo, Galeries Tower may just have enough to pull off the upset.
The winner of the match up will set a battle against the upstart Nxled in the quarterfinals. The Chameleons have been one of the more unexpected teams headed to the quarters as they flourish under head coach Ettore Guidetti.
Chery Tiggo and Galeries battle also on Saturday, August 2, at the Dasmariñas Arena.
KO #3: Petro Gazz Angels vs Akari Chargers
The All-Filipino champs are in trouble.
Despite ending the prelims on a high note, the Petro Gazz Angels have much to work on after finishing with a 2-3 slate, including some uncharacteristic sweep losses against traditionally lower-ranked teams like the Foxies.
With the sudden exit of head coach Koji Tsuzurabara, Myla Pablo and company must dig deep as they face win-or-go-home conditions in their next game.
Going up against them is an Akari team eager to prove themselves under the guidance of new head coach Tina Salak.
Taking in a new system and counting on newly-minted rookie Chenie Tagaod to reinforce the offense of Celine Domingo, Grethcel Soltones, and Eli Soyud, Akari will be determined to make another deep run.
However, things haven’t been smooth sailing as consistency has been hard to find.
The two sides clash for the right to face the Cignal HD Spikers who have arguably been one of the more steady teams in the preseason, despite missing key cogs like Vanie Gandler and Dawn Catindig who are still performing Alas Pilipinas duties.
Petro Gazz and Akari open the curtain on Day 2 of the play-ins on Tuesday, August 5, at the PhilSports Arena.
KO #4: ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles vs Choco Mucho Flying Titans
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles are on the right track as they’ve been taking down contenders left and right in heart-stopping thrillers — logging three five-set wins in their five games in the preliminaries.
As they continue to egg on rookie AC Miner into reaching her full potential with the team, Chinnie Arroyo and Kate Santiago have been among the other sources of offense for head coach Jerry Yee as they hope to shake off the cellar dweller tag for good in their short time in the league.
Coming up as their test in the play-ins will be a slumping Choco Mucho team that is eager to snap a four-game losing skid.
Having proven capable of contending for the title in recent years, the Flying Titans will be vying to compete even without star hitter Sisi Rondina who remains with national team duties in beach volleyball, as Des Cheng takes over the leader role.
With Ayesha Juegos and Jen Villegas both showing flashes of brilliance in their preliminary games, the Flying Titans will be seeking some form of consistency in the play-in. However, it will be difficult, going against a ZUS Coffee team eager to break through.
The winner of this matchup will have the honor of going up against the preseason’s only undefeated team so far in the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
With Savi Davison already back in the fold, PLDT has only gotten more dangerous as Kiesha Bedonia and Jovielyn Prado have also amped up their offense. Fit-again Kim Kianna Dy is another option for the loaded High Speed Hitters.
ZUS battles Choco Mucho in the second game of the double header on Tuesday, August 5, at PhilSports Arena.
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