By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City)
4:15 p.m. – Petron vs Cocolife
7 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Sta. Lucia
Powerhouse Petron tries to gain a share of the lead today when it faces Cocolife in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at The Arena in San Juan City.
On a roll having won their last three games, the Blaze Spikers are heavily favored over the Asset Managers in their 4:15 showdown.
Petron is currently tied for second to third places with F2 Logistics with similar 6-1 records.
But it can draw level with Foton if it beats a team still smarting from a five-set loss to Sta. Lucia two days back.
The quarterfinal cast is already complete with only Victoria Sports-University of Santo Tomas getting booted of contention. But the remaining eight teams are still fighting for positions to determine the quarters pairings.
Seedings are important in the crucial knockout quarters as the No. 1 team collides with the eighth-seeded squad, the No. 2 team faces the No. 7 squad, third seed collides with the sixth seed, and the fourth-ranked team battles the fifth-ranked squad.
Petron wants nothing but to be on top.
Foreign reinforcements Hillary Hurley and Lindsay Stalzer are expected to lead the Blaze Spikers anew.
Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan would provide variety of plays while liberos Bang Pineda and Japanese Yuri Fukuda will take charge of the defense on the floor.
The Asset Managers will parade with Shar Manu-Olevao and Taylor Milton, who combined with 43 points the last time, as well as Michele Gumabao, Tina Salak and Ging Balse.
