Creamline stakes unbeaten slate

VOLLEY

Creamline puts its unbeaten slate on the line when it battles dangerous F2 Logistics in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is at 6 p.m. with the Cool Smashers looking to stretch their winning run to six to assure themselves of at least a playoff for the last semifinal spot while the Cargo Movers aim to further boost its ranking at sixth to join idle Cignal and PLDT.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses expects to draw big games again not only from his starters but also from the bench with Bernadette Pons, Lorie Bernardo and Risa Sato combining for 14 points and a lot of intangibles in helping the team rally past Petro Gazz in their previous game last Thursday.

Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, along with skipper Alyssa Valdez, and setter Kyle Negrito remain the team's go-to players, particularly at crunch time but Meneses also focuses on slowing down the other side also noted for its firepower.

But counterpart Regine Diego has been burdened by injuries to key players with Myla Pablo joining Kim Dy in the sidelines the last time out.

The vastly-improved Ivy Lacsina and veterans Aby Maraño, Ara Galang and middle Majoy Baron, however, are more than ready to lead F2 Logistics' charge along with rising young stars Jolina dela Cruz, Jovelyn Fernandez and playmaker Mars Alba, ensuring a slam-bang clash for control right on the first serve.

Meanwhile, Akari tries to arrest a two-game skid and revive its backdoor bid as it tangles with a slumping Nxled side at 4 p.m. following the 2 p.m. clash of winless teams between Gerflor and Farm Fresh.

After an impressive 3-1 start, the Chargers dropped to eighth place with losses to the Cignal HD Spikers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans but are confident to get back on track with a victory over the Chameleons, who fell to ninth with a 1-5 slate, marred by five straight defeats after routing the Defenders last 15 October.

Odds are about even between Farm Fresh and Gerflor although the Foxies have shown a lot of promise of late, particularly after dragging the Cargo Movers to five sets last 7 November.