Cargo Movers go for sweep vs Skippers

MANILA, Philippines — The frontrunner and the tailender collide, and F2 Logistics is fancied to complete a first-round sweep versus Marinerang Pilipina in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference today at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

Fresh from a triumphant out-of-town stint in Negros Occidental last week highlighted by a pair of three-set wins, the Cargo Movers march into the 4:15 p.m. duel heavily favored against a side that is winless in five outings.

Third-running Generika-Ayala, meanwhile, looks to get back on track when it clashes with the skidding PLDT in the second game at 7 p.m.

Bolstered by the acquisition of Fil-Am sensation Kalei Mau from the disbanded United VC, the Cargo Movers have been on a hot rampage, with latest conquests versus Sta. Lucia and Cignal which they dominated in the road matches in Negros.

But head coach Ramil de Jesus is still trying to downplay whatever they have shown and achieved thus far.

And he insists their frontrunning card will hardly give them an edge in the knockout quarterfinals.

“As I’ve mentioned time and again, record is meaningless when it comes to the quarterfinals. Whether you enter the playoffs unbeaten as the No. 1 seed or as the No. 2 seed, you will have no advantage. You can be knocked out in any given day,” he said.

“At 6-0 though, we’re gaining confidence with every win which we would need in the playoffs. That’s the most important thing,” added De Jesus, warning his wards of complacency even against Marinerang Pilipina.

The Cargo Movers are again expected to bank on their core of Mau, Aby Maraño, Ara Galang, Desiree Cheng, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Dawn Macandili and Michelle Cobb.

On the other hand, Judith Abil and Chiara Fermentilla will be out to spearhead the Lady Skippers’ bid to finally get over the hump.

In the other match, the troika of Angeli Araneta, Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos will lead the Lifesavers’ bounce back attempt from a three-set loss against reigning champion Petron.

PLDT, for its part, will lean on Aiko Urdas and Grethcel Soltones in a bid to snap its three-game slide.