Creamline begins title-retention bid

Creamline gets an early test of character as it begins its title-retention bid sans a key player against sister-team Choco Mucho to kick off the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All eyes will be on veteran playmaker Kyle Negrito taking on the role of prized setter Jia Morado-De Guzman, who has taken her talent to the Japan V.League, in the main feature of the triple-bill playdate set at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, sister teams PLDT and Cignal will face off at 5 p.m. while Gerflor welcomes newcomer Nxled in the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser.

"Of course, when you go up against Choco Mucho you can expect a huge crowd," Meneses said. "We want to focus on what we can do as a team. We know it will be tough for us whoever we face."

Meneses underscores the importance of his squad's first showing to gauge if Creamline has fully adjusted to life without the eight-time Best Setter winner De Guzman, who signed with Japanese club Denso Airybees.

"This will serve as a team check for us. We want to see if our skills have improved, if the team improved," he said.

The Cool Smashers remain the team-to-beat despite the absence of De Guzman as they will still parade a start-studded roster led by Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Ced Domingo and libero Kyla Atienza.

But getting another win over Flying Titans, who have yet to win a game against Creamline since the team's formation in 2019, won't be a walk in the park.

Choco Mucho is coming in full of confidence after copping a bronze medal in the VTV Cup in Vietnam a couple of months ago.

"There's a bit of pressure because they are the defending champion. But I told my players that we've already come a long way," Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

"All we have to do is to sustain our momentum, execute, make the necessary adjustments during the game and we're confident we'll pull off a win in our first game."

Alinsunurin will rely on VTV Cup Best Outside Hitter Sisi Rondina and Best Middle Blocker Maddie Madayag to lead the solid Choco Mucho side along with Kat Tolentino, Bea De Leon, Cherry Nunag, Des Cheng, setter Deanna Wong and libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters will bank on new recruit Fil-Canadian hitter Savannah Davison and regulars Mika Reyes, Michelle Morente, Mean Mendrez, Fiola Ceballos, Dell Palomata, Jules Samonte and Jovie Prado.

The HD Spikers, who placed sixth in the first All-Filipino and wound up third in the Invitational, will pin their hopes on Ces Molina, Chin Basas, Roselyn Doria, Vanie Gandler, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Riri Meneses, Chay Troncoso and setter Gel Cayuna.

Alyssa Bertolano, Ethan Arce and Pia Sarmiento banner the Defenders' campaign with Ivy Perez and Justine Dorog providing the veteran smarts for the Sammy Acaylar-mentored squad while the Chameleons will be led by Krich Macaslang, Jho Maraguinot, Lycha Ebon, Camille Kal, Janine Navarro, Chiara Permentilla, Camilla Victoria and Dani Ravena.