STREAK SHOOTERS: Cool Smashers risk 16-game winning run

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. — Capital1 vs Akari

6:30 p.m. — Cignal vs Creamline

Five-peat-seeking Creamline and Cignal rekindle their rivalry in an explosive meeting in the 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Unbeaten in six outings, the Cool Smashers eye to extend their run and maintain a hold of the solo lead against a familiar foe hoping to get back on the right track coming off a setback.

Game time is set at 6:30 p.m. following the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser pitting Akari and struggling Capital1.

But all eyes will be on the rematch of last season’s Invitational Conference finals.

Creamline defeated the HD Spikers in a come-from-behind five-set victory in the short season-ending conference’s winner-take-all championship to complete a historic grand slam.

The Cool Smashers are undefeated since bowing to Petro Gazz in five sets back on 13 August 2024 in the second round of the Reinforced Conference for an active 16-game winning streak.

Head coach Sherwin Malonzo is wary of Cignal coming into the game extra-motivated with a chip on its shoulder. He, however, believes Creamline still has the edge in the rematch.

The Cool Smashers easily dismantled listless Nxled, 25-12, 25-21, 25-19, last Tuesday, a day after the decorated club received its second straight volleyball citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

“Our win (against the Chameleons) is a big boost on our confidence but we can’t be too complacent. Every game, every point is important so we have to prepare well,” Meneses said.

“Knowing Cignal, they will surely give us a tough fight. They are always ready to compete and they have a young and aggressive crew,” he added.

Setter Kyle Negito is expected to once again utilize Creamline’s deep arsenal just like the last time out when all 12 non-libero players fielded by Meneses contributed points.

The three-headed monster of Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez will lead the way along with grizzled veterans Michele Gumabao, Bea de Leon and Jeanette Panaga.

But while Creamline kept its roster lineup, the Cool Smashers will face a new-look HD Spikers side following the departure of key players Ces Molina and Riri Meneses during the break.

Cignal is in third spot with a 5-2 card and is reeling from a 20-25, 21-25, 25-20, 22-25, loss to PLDT last Tuesday.

Without Molina and Meneses, Vanie Gandler will have to carry much of the scoring load with Jackie Acuna, Rose Doria-Aquino, Rochelle Lalongisip, setter Gel Cayuna and decorated libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig backing her up.

Meanwhile, the Chargers are looking to follow up on their four-set win over Nxled last week and improve their 4-4 mark, tied with Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee.

The Solar Spikers, on the other hand, want to arrest a three-game slide and add another win to their current 1-6 card.