PLDT and Creamline head into their much-awaited showdown Thursday carrying impressive momentum, renewed confidence and a compelling score to settle in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series.
The High Speed Hitters have won back-to-back matches and gained a psychological lift from their bronze medal victory over the Cool Smashers in the recent PVL Invitational Conference. But standing in their way at 6 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig is a Creamline side that has been virtually unstoppable, sweeping its first four matches in the tournament.
The 11-time league champions have barely broken a sweat in building their unbeaten run, posting straight-set victories over Akari and Capital1 before disposing of Galeries Tower and ZUS Coffee in four sets.
Despite Creamline's imposing start, head coach Sherwin Meneses is taking nothing for granted, fully aware of PLDT's firepower, experience and growing confidence following its recent victories.
“We really have to prepare, especially we’ll be facing PLDT. May momentum na sila, so doon muna kami magfo-focus ulit,” said Meneses.
The Creamline mentor also stressed the importance of making the necessary adjustments as the tournament progresses, particularly with the series' all-to-play format, which puts a premium on consistency and quick adaptation.
“Number one, yung balance ng game kasi, yun nga, all-to-start, yun yung talagang number one na pino-problema namin. Pabor naman sa amin, pero siyempre, yung momentum change medyo mabilis,” he said.
Fortunately for Meneses, Creamline's deep bench has given him the flexibility to respond to changing situations on the court.
“Buti na lang yung mga players namin, pag pinasok mo, ready. Yun yung number one. Then siyempre, yung basics, dapat limit yung errors namin. Hanggang doon lang muna kami. Yun nga, every game, iba yung makakalaban; every set, iba yung makakalaban,” he added.
PLDT, meanwhile, appears to be hitting its stride at the right time, coming off a four-set triumph and a straight-set romp over Capital1 and ZUS Coffee, respectively.
Savi Davison has rediscovered her scoring touch after a shaky start, drawing solid support from Kim Dy, Alleiah Malaluan and the formidable middle-blocking trio of Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron and Dell Palomata.
New recruit Jessa Ordiales has also earned a place in the rotation with a string of impressive performances, while veteran Kim Fajardo and Angge Alcantara have provided steady playmaking.
The matchup thus looms as a significant test for both sides, with Creamline looking to sustain its unbeaten run and PLDT eager to prove it can measure up against one of the league's most formidable teams.
Another victory would strengthen Creamline's bid for a semifinal berth, while a PLDT upset could further tighten the race to the Final Four, with seven teams still in contention and only three weeks remaining in the single-round elimination phase.
The 1 p.m. encounter between Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee also carries major implications, particularly for the Foxies, who are desperate to halt a string of three grueling five-set matches that produced just one victory.
Like PLDT, Farm Fresh needs another win to remain firmly in the semis hunt. But ZUS Coffee is equally determined to break through after dropping its first four assignments.
With Galeries Tower finally ending its four-game slide through a five-set upset of Akari last Tuesday, the Thunderbelles are also feeling the pressure to come up with a breakthrough victory and keep their slim semifinal hopes alive.
