Creamline takes the first of two crucial steps toward a potential prelims sweep – and the coveted No. 1 seed – as it faces PLDT on Saturday even as Petro Gazz looks to solidify its No. 2 ranking in the qualifying round of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
While the Cool Smashers are expected to dominate their final elimination match against the struggling Galeries Tower Highrisers on Feb. 20, their 6:30 p.m. clash with the High Speed Hitters presents a real challenge with the defending champions expected to bring their A-game to maintain their unbeaten streak.
Fans at the Ynares Center in Antipolo anticipate an intense battle between two of the league’s top contenders. However, Creamline enters as the favorite, boasting a star-studded lineup, championship experience and an unblemished record.
PLDT, fresh off a dominant win over Farm Fresh last Feb. 4, is eager to pull off an upset with head coach Rald Ricafort hoping for another standout performance from Savi Davison, whose 26-point explosion against the Foxies was game-changing.
To stand a chance, local players like Mika Reyes, Erika Santos, Majoy Baron and Fiola Ceballos must step up and deliver with consistency in this high-stakes matchup.
“The usual way we respond to high-pressure games because some of our losses happened at that level, so hopefully, we can apply that against any opponent. I guess it's really just about trust and their belief that the team can do it," said Ricafort in Filipino, on the key to beating the Cool Smashers.
Meanwhile, Creamline remains laser-focused on completing a perfect prelims run in the league’s record-setting six-month tournament. Since sweeping Akari in the 2024 Reinforced Finals and dominating the Invitational to secure the league’s first Grand Slam, the Cool Smashers have been unstoppable.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses faces the challenge of managing minutes for his deep roster, with key contributions expected from Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Bea de Leon, Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao.
“This game against Farm Fresh was not good because we should have finished it convincingly, but at least we saw that when it gets close, we can still close it out. So hopefully, we can do the same against PLDT," said Galanza in Filipino, recalling their 27-25 third-set escape against the Foxies to complete the sweep last Tuesday.
Pangs Panaga and Lorie Bernardo are set to control the middle, while Kyle Negrito orchestrates the offense. Defensively, Kyla Atienza and Denden Revilla will be crucial in anchoring the backline.
In the 4 p.m. opener, the red-hot Angels also seek to extend their seven-game winning streak against the struggling Highrisers. With a deep roster featuring Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete, Remy Palma and Joy Dacoron, the Angels are heavily favored. A win would improve their record to 9-1, setting them up for their final prelims test against the Nxled Chameleons.
Nxled, which came close to back-to-back wins but fell short in a five-set thriller against Choco Mucho last Tuesday, will once again rely on Chiara Permentilla, EJ Laure, Lycha Ebon, May Luna and rising rookie Lucille Atienza in their bid to finish strong in the tournament supported by Arena Plus, Fabriano Appliances, Milcu, iColor & Argan Beauty, Tapa King, Sport Radar, and Mikasa.
Games are aired live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and pvl.ph.
