The 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference returned on Saturday with a slam-bang triple bill at the PhilSports Arena. The three matches featured the return of several key cogs from injury and the debut of new faces in new places.
Farm Fresh Sweeps Nxled as Key Players Make Triumphant Returns
The Farm Fresh Foxies rung up the new year with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-21 sweep of the Nxled Chameleons behind the explosive return of Jolina Dela Cruz.
Sidelined since November 2023 due to an ACL injury, Dela Cruz showed neither rust nor nerves as she topscored for the Foxies with 20 points. Trisha Tubu added 14 as she continued to be among the pillars of Farm Fresh. Lorene Toring, who also returned from her own ACL injury, showed the Foxies renewed depth by adding 3 markers of her own.
Jaila Atienza led the still winless Chameleons with 11 points, while Lycha Ebon added 8 markers. EJ Laure, who played for the first time this conference, chipped in 8 for the Nxled. She previously played for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
The Foxies’ 54 attack points as against the Chameleons’ 20 typified the former’s dominance as they climbed to 3-3. Nxled dropped its sixth straight game.
Up next:
Nxled vs. Akari Chargers (January 23, PhilSports Arena)
Farm Fresh vs. Chery Tiggo (January 25, PhilSports Arena)
Choco Mucho Edges Zus Coffee via Reverse Sweep
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans rose from a two-set hole for a 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9 reverse sweep of the upstart Zus Coffee Thunderbelles.
Veterans Sisi Rondina and Dindin Manabat typified Choco Mucho’s resilience, leading the team’s fiery comeback with 25 and 19 points, respectively. Rondina added 9 excellent receptions to her electric showing, while Manabat recorded crucial hits in the final two sets to help the Flying Titans complete their fight back.
Isa Molde and Lorraine Pecana added 13 and 11 markers, respectively. Fan favorite Deena Wong, meanwhile, marked her long-awaited return with 4 points and 10 excellent sets.
Chai Troncoso fired 17 points for the Thunderbelles, who looked on their way to a huge victory before faltering in the end. Gayle Pascual, Thea Gagate, and Michelle Gamit chipped in 15, 14, and 13, respectively for Zus Coffee.
The win moved Choco Mucho to the top half of the standings at 4-3. Zus Coffee dropped down to 2-4.
Up next:
Choco Mucho vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters (January 23, PhilSports Arena)
Zus Coffee vs. Capital1 Solar Spikers (January 25, PhilSports Arena)
PLDT Dominates Akari, Gains Revenge
The PLDT High Speed Hitters got a measure of revenge on the Akari Chargers with a dominant 25-22, 25-16, 25-15 victory some five months after the two teams’ controversial semis match in the 2024 Reinforced Conference. Akari won that now-infamous match thanks to a critical challenge ruled in their favor.
There was no controversy this time. And Savi Davison, who missed that entire Reinforced Conference, made sure of that, firing 15 points on 2 kill blocks and recording six excellent receptions. Erika Santos added 10, while Dell Palomata chipped in 7 markers. Ange Alcantara, meanwhile, was masterful in orchestrating PLDT’s balanced attack, tallying 12 of the team’s 13 excellent sets.
Faith NIsperos was the lone bright spot for Akari with 11 points.
With the win, PLDT improved to 3-2—good for seventh in the standings. Akari, on the other hand dropped to the eighth spot at 3-3.
Up next:
Akari vs. Nxled (January 23, PhilSports Arena)
PLDT vs Choco Mucho (January 23, PhilSports Arena)
PVL All-Filipino Conference: The Games Ahead
The PVL All-Filipino Conference continues on Tuesday, January 21 at the PhilSports Arena with another triple-header. The first game will be between Galeries Tower Highrisers and Cignal HD Spikers. The second game will see the Capital1 Solar Spikers take on the Creamline Cool Smashers. The last game will put the Petro Gazz Angels against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
