Though there will be no teams hitting the showers at the end of classification, three squads at the lower half of the leaderboard take to the floor on Saturday, looking to better their playoff positions in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Chery Tiggo, ravaged by player departures late last year, and Farm Fresh square off in the 4 p.m. contest at PhilSports Arena as they try to climb up the standings and, for all intents and purposes, get lighter assignments in the playoffs.

Article continues after this advertisement

With a 4-3 record, the Crossovers will be trying to hold off the Foxies, who have gotten a shot in the arm with the reactivation of Jolina dela Cruz and Lorene Toring.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025

“We’re always looking to be better than we were in our last game,” Farm Fresh coach Benson Bocboc, whose charges are at a level 3-3, said in Filipino. “We just need to work hard. Chery also had changes in its lineup, so we will see.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Norman Miguel, meanwhile, will be trying to squeeze the best out of a nucleus that was orphaned by Eya and EJ Laure as he pins his hopes now on the durable Aby Maraño and rising star Cess Robles.

Miguel and his staff studied the Farm Fresh game well, and is very cautious of the Foxies’ attacking game, especially with Dela Cruz and Toring back.

“[The team] had a viewing session, and we analyzed the attack and defense systems of Farm Fresh so we can counter,” Miguel said.

Character test

Chery Tiggo will be coming off a deflating five-set loss to Petro Gazz last week, where it squandered a two-set lead. This game against the Foxies will be a veritable test of character for the Crossovers, basically.

The 6:30 p.m. matchup between ZUS Coffee and Capital1 is expected to be another fiercely contested battle. The Thunderbelles (2-4) are looking for their third win, with a lineup that includes Thea Gagate, Chai Troncoso, Gayle Pascual, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Michelle Gamit and setter Cloanne Mondonedo.

Meanwhile, the Solar Spikers (1-5) are determined to turn their fortunes around, led by new acquisition Trisha Genesis alongside Jorelle Singh, Rovena Instrella, Lou Clemente-De Guzman and Patty Orendain.