Final playdate to sort out tangled quarterfinal scenarios

Savi Davison and the High Speed Hitters have a shot at the No. 1 spot. —PHOTOS BY PVL IMAGES

The Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinal race is going down to the wire—and nothing will be finalized until the last ball drops at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.

The top eight teams have clinched their quarterfinal spots, but the final seedings—and subsequent matchups—remain wildly uncertain. Here’s a breakdown of the pivotal scenarios shaping the final quarterfinal picture:

Who’s locked in?

Creamline (5-3) is the only team with a confirmed position: No. 4. Everyone else, including top contenders and lower seeds, could shift depending on today’s results.

Eli Rousseaux and the Foxies are hoping to tab the easiest quarterfinal foe available.

Race for No. 1

ZUS Coffee (7-1) currently owns the top spot, but both PLDT and Farm Fresh (6-1 each) could leapfrog to No. 1.

PLDT vs Petro Gazz (6:30 p.m.): A sweep or four-set win gives PLDT the No. 1 seed as long as Farn Fresh doesn’t sweep.
Farm Fresh vs Chery Tiggo (4 p.m.): Same scenario—a straight-sets or four-set win, if PLDT goes five sets, could push them to the top.

If both PLDT and Farm Fresh win in five sets, or lose, ZUS Coffee retains the top seed. Securing No. 1 means facing the No. 8 seed—generally an easier quarterfinal route.

Mid-standings madness

Cignal (5-3) is currently fifth, but could slide to sixth if Petro Gazz (3-4) beats PLDT in three or four sets.

Petro Gazz (4-3) itself could jump as high as No. 6 or fall all the way to No. 8—depending on whether Capital1 wins earlier in the day.

Bella Belen and the Spolar Spikers will do everything to stay away from No. 8

Avoiding No. 8

Capital1 (3-4) and Petro Gazz are in a tight race to avoid facing the top seed.

Capital1 vs Galeries Tower (1:00 p.m.): A Capital1 win puts pressure on Petro Gazz.
If PLDT defeats Petro Gazz, and Capital1 wins, the Angels could slide to No. 8.

The diverse scenarios will ensure that not only will all six teams have something to play for in the final preliminary round schedule, but also that the idle qualified squads will keep a keen eye on the triple-header to get an early look at who they will face in the knockout quarterfinals.