F2, Choco Mucho dispute pool B lead

F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho will dispute the lead in pool B when they lock horns in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, today, July 11.

The Cargo Movers and the Flying Titans, both undefeated at 2-0, collide at 6:30 p.m., with their match serving as the main event of the league's quadruple-header offering in its return after giving way to the country's hosting of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

F2 Logistics Aby Maraño. PVL PHOTO

Petro Gazz and Farm Fresh collide at 9:30 a.m. followed by the match between Cignal and Foton at 12 p.m.

Akari and Chery Tiggo take on each other at 4 p.m. before the much-awaited F2 Logistics and Choco Mucho game, where the winner also gets to bolster its chances of getting an outright semifinals ticket.

Cargo Movers head coach Regine Diego said that they used the 10-day PVL break to work on their chemistry because they have a lot of new pieces that need to gel well with the team.

“We have so many things to learn, so many things to adjust because there are new ones inside the court. We're not like other teams whose starting six are already established. Half of our lineup, our starters, are composed of new players,” said Diego.

“I'm happy that I have a lot of options now, but we have to make sure they gel in together and they know what to do. We commit lapses because the players aren't connecting that well yet.”

Led by veterans Kianna Dy, Aby Maraño, rookies Jolina de la Cruz and Mars Alba, and sophomore Ivy Lacsina, F2 defeated Cignal 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 25-22 on July 1.

On the other hand, the Flying Titans banked on the explosive indoor volleyball return of Sisi Rondina to demolish Foton 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 on the same day.

Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin said that his team is starting to find its rhythm and they look to keep their momentum going.

“We're starting to learn how to win and this is what we want, step by step process. We need to work on every game. We seem to be finally materializing our plans during training. We've improved our rate in what we do,” he said.

NIEL VICTOR MASOY