Games on Thursday
(Ynares Center Antipolo)
1 p.m. – Akari vs Capital1 (PVL)
3:30 p.m. – 3B Event Masters vs Clear Skiiin UV (Spikers’ Turf)
6 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs ZUS Coffee (PVL)
EYA LAURE and Sisi Rondina-Rosales will try to sustain their magnificent start as Choco Mucho shoots for the solo lead versus ZUS Coffee on Thursday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
Ms. Laure and Ms. Rondina-Rosales came through in their first outing in last Saturday’s opener in Cebu where the Choco Mucho Flying Titans clawed back to pull off a 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8 escape act over the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Another victory in their 6 p.m. showdown with the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles would hand coach Dante Alinsunurin’s charges the solo hold of the top spot.
And expect the chocolate biscuit franchise to rely heavily anew on the explosive duo after the two combined for 33 points including 22 by the power-hitting Ms. Laure, who said they would feed on the electric crowd support again.
“Isa sa pangarap ko makalaro sa malaking crowd,” said Ms. Laure, whose duel was watched by the 19,000-strong crowd at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. “Gusto kasi namin ibalik kung ano binibigay nila suporta sa amin.”
But expect the duo and the rest of the Flying Titans to face a taller, defense-minded Thunderbelles, who are starting to build their reputation as a fearsome spike-blocking squad.
The sudden block spike can be attributed to ZUS shoring up its middle blocker and opposite positions in Alexis Miner, Riza Nogales, Zam Nolasco and rookie prize find Alyanna Nicole Ong.
Also seeing action are Capital1 and Akari, which are both seeking to bounce back from their opening day defeats as they clash at 1 p.m.
BROOKE VAN SICKLEIt wasn’t as grand as everyone expected it to be.
But Brooke Van Sickle made sure her return would be remembered.
And it came via Nxled’s 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 decimation of PLDT last Tuesday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where the two-time league champion and three-time MVP was as dominant as before her absence.
“I’m grateful to be back,” said Ms. Van Sickle, who had a modest but match-best 11 points while helping their floor defense with eight excellent digs.
Ms. Van Sickle was just happy to return after helplessly watching her team on the sidelines of the PVL on Tour and Invitational where the franchise wound up with a historic runner-up finish after losing to Est Cola of Thailand.
“Nobody wants to be injured, and the recovery process has been a long one, with its share of ups and downs,” she said. “But my teammates, coaches, and management supported me throughout the entire process of getting back on the court.”
It also marked the first time that Ms. Van Sickle teamed up with battle-tested setter Gel Cayuna, who came from Cignal, and by the looks of it, they mesh well together as the former was mostly the recipient of the latter’s 14 excellent sets.
“I’m super grateful that she (Cayuna) joined us. I’ve always thought Gel was one of the best in the country and I always want to play with her,” said Ms. Van Sickle. — Joey Villar