PVL Last Four: A pair of compelling duels

MANILA, Philippines — Dynasty for PLDT, throne return for Petro Gazz, validation for Akari and a place in the sun for ZUS Coffee will be the battle cries of the four semifinalists in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The High Speed Hitters shoot for their third straight crown after reigning supreme in the PVL on Tour and Invitational Conference early this year as they face the Thunderbelles, who are eyeing their breakthrough finals appearance and title, at 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Angels seek a third Reinforced Conference crown and fourth overall against the Chargers –losing finalists in the same tourney the last time – at 4 p.m.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort said they are not looking far ahead as they’re focused on their semis showdown with ZUS.

“We’re taking it a game at a time and we know it’s going to be tougher from here,” said Ricafort, who hurdled their sibling rivals, the Cignal Super Spikers, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, in the quarters Monday also at the Big Dome.

For the Angels, they’ll be riding the crest of their mammoth 25-23, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14 win over the Cool Smashers, the league’s most titled team whose 19-conference medal streak ended.

And Myla Pablo hopes they could sustain their effort in that huge quarterfinal triumph.

“We will be relying on teamwork again,” she said.