BVS returns as Chameleons battle Davison, High Speed Hitters
Nxled gets an early chance to test its mettle against a battle-tested PLDT side, with the anticipated return of Brooke van Sickle adding intrigue to their marquee showdown in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chameleons and the High Speed Hitters collide at 6 p.m. in the main event of a twinbill as the tournament returns to the metro following a rousing season opener in Cebu where an attendance record of more than 19,000 fans was recorded.
It will be like Van Sickle in a personal duel with Savi Davison with the two prolific hitters ranged against each other, even as Farm Fresh and Galeries Tower kick off the action at 1 p.m., with the Foxies’ deeper lineup set to face a Highrisers squad eager to prove it can compete with the league’s more fancied teams.
Sandwiched between the PVL matches is a 3:30 p.m. Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference encounter featuring reigning Open Conference champion Criss Cross, which begins its quest for another title in the men’s division, against AFP.
Sports Vision, the league organizer, has incorporated a Spikers’ Turf match into each PVL playdate as part of its continuing effort to bring men’s volleyball to a wider audience and strengthen the sport’s mainstream appeal.
Van Sickle suiting up is exciting news for the Chameleons, who missed their leading scorer in the Invitationals because of a shoulder injury.
A many-time MVP, Van Sickle leads an Nxled roster loaded with talent that counts Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips together with Jonah Escamillan, Jovelyn Fernandez, Jules Tolentino and Lyann De Guzman.
Gel Cayuna will orchestrate the Nxled offense.
Van Sickle’s return, however, will be tested immediately as the High Speed Hitters have established themselves as one of the league’s most formidable teams. Although they fell short of another championship in the recent All-Filipino Conference, settling for third place, the setback could serve as added motivation in their pursuit of another crown.
Davison leads PLDT’s charge and her match up with Van Sickle should be very interesting. The Fil-Canadian ace also has an imposing supporting cast, led by opposite hitter Kim Dy and middle blockers Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Dell Palomata and Seth Rodriguez.
Kim Fajardo and Angge Alcantara will share playmaking duties, while premier libero Kath Arado anchors the team’s floor defense.
With firepower at the net, reliable playmaking and a defense capable of sustaining pressure, PLDT has the personnel to spoil Van Sickle’s anticipated return and deny Nxled an early statement victory.
The twinbill follows an eventful opening playdate at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena that marked the opening of the league’s landmark 10th season.
Choco Mucho rallied from two sets down to stun Capital1 in five sets, while 11-time champion Creamline swept Akari in three, producing contrasting results that underscored the unpredictability of the new competition format.
The PVL’s revamped season features three series–Siklab, Sigla and Sinag–culminating in a grand champion next year.
