BATANGAS City – It’s Pool A’s turn to seize the spotlight as the Premier Volleyball League On Tour resumes Saturday, June 28 with another explosive double-header showcase at the Batangas City Sports Center here.
Following the rousing inaugurals in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, which drew enthusiastic local support and solid action on court, four more squads brace for high-stakes showdowns with momentum and redemption on the line.
All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho look to affirm their lofty billing as they take on Nxled and Galeries Tower, respectively – two teams eager to make a statement and shake up the early hierarchy in the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.
The Flying Titans tangle with the Chameleons at 4 p.m., setting the stage for the marquee 6:30 p.m. clash between the Angels and the Highrisers.
While both Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho are tipped to come out on top this weekend, their underdog foes are far from pushovers.
Petro Gazz, winner of the recent All-Filipino championship, will miss its top guns Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, both tapped for national team duty with Alas Pilipinas in the VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup in Vietnam. But the Angels still have an arsenal loaded with talent and experience – Jonah Sabete, Myla Pablo, Nicole Tiamzon, Aiza Pontillas, Ranya Musa, and Joy Dacoron – ready to step up.
Their offense will be orchestrated by veteran setters Djanel Cheng and Chie Saet, while Baby Love Barbon and Jellie Tempiatura anchor floor defense.
But Galeries Tower, which finished eighth in the recent conference, is not merely showing up – they’re showing up to compete. The Highrisers flashed flashes of resilience and ambition last conference, notably stunning Cignal before bowing to Akari.
Coach Lerma Giron is steadily building a team that blends youthful enthusiasm with hunger for recognition. Expect Jewel Encarnacion, Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo to lead a fast-paced, attacking frontline, supported by the seasoned presence of Roselle Baliton, Andrea Marzan and Dimdim Pacres.
Fhen Emnas will direct the offense, with Galeries aiming to capitalize on any opportunity left open by Petro Gazz’s temporary key absences.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho, which placed fourth in the AFC, is primed for a strong start despite the absence of their dynamic rookie setter Tia Andaya, who is also with the Alas squad in Vietnam.
Even so, the Flying Titans retain enough firepower to strike decisively. Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Royse Tubino, Isa Molde and Des Cheng headline a formidable scoring cast, while Cherry Nunag and Lorraine Pecaña hold the fort at the net.
The Pool A action follows the successful opener in Vigan, where Pool B squads Creamline and Cignal both swept their respective assignments against Akari and Capital1, underscoring the intense competition ahead as all teams continue their build-up toward the next full PVL conference.
With their combination of experience and firepower, Choco Mucho is keen to establish early dominance in the tour.
But Nxled, despite a disappointing bottom-place finish in the AFC, cannot be taken lightly. The Chameleons are coming into the tour with renewed energy and the drive to redeem themselves. Armed with depth and dangerous attackers like EJ Laure, Lucille Almonte, Lycha Ebon, May Luna and Chiara Permentilla, Nxled has the tools to pull off an upset if they can sustain intensity and tighten up their reception and transition defense.
If they can control the tempo and force Choco Mucho into a scramble, the Chameleons may just carve out a breakthrough moment.
Sunday’s double-header flips the script, with Choco Mucho battling Galeries Tower at 6:30 p.m., and Petro Gazz facing Nxled in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser. These matches will be crucial for momentum and team chemistry as the tour unfolds.
