POWER PLAY: Cool Smashers, Angels eye playoff push vs struggling foes

Games today:

(Philsports Arena)

4 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Capital1

6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Farm Fresh

By Jason Mago

@tribunephl_jrm

Powerhouse teams Petro Gazz and Creamline look to assert their dominance against low-grade opponents in a crucial double-header as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference heats up Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.

The 4 p.m. curtain-raiser features the red-hot Angels taking on struggling Capital1 while the defending champions Cool Smashers will test the mettle of Farm Fresh at 6:30 p.m.

Riding a six-game winning streak, the Angels are brimming with confidence following a four-set victory over ZUS Coffee.

With only three games left in the preliminaries, Petro Gazz has a solid opportunity to bolster its record against a Capital1 squad that has been reeling from five consecutive straight-set losses.

The Solar Spikers, currently at the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 card, are desperate to end their slump but will have to overcome the daunting challenge posed by the in-form Angels.

Despite the apparent mismatch, Petro Gazz outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle emphasized the need for her team to stay focused and maintain its high level of play.

“I feel like our coaches are definitely pushing us a lot, and they have high expectations for us. I feel like we’re also holding each other to high standards,” Van Sickle said.

“We wanna win, and it’s gonna be hard. We have to try everything we can. I think everyone has that mentality – everyone’s stepping up, and everyone’s doing a fantastic job.”

Meanwhile, in the second game, the Cool Smashers aim to continue their dominant run against a desperate Farm Fresh squad fighting to stay in the playoff race.

The Foxies, currently in ninth place with a 4-5 record, need a strong finish to keep their postseason hopes alive. However, they will be up against a surging Creamline squad that has yet to drop a match this season.

The three-time defending All-Filipino champions boast an imposing lineup led by Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao, and team captain Alyssa Valdez. With an 8-0 record, Creamline is inching closer to sweeping the preliminary round.

Still, head coach Sherwin Meneses remains wary of the Foxies, noting their mix of veteran leadership and young talent.

“Our win against Chery Tiggo in three sets was a big deal. The team’s confidence is high, but of course, knowing Farm Fresh, they also have veteran recruits mixed with young players. They’re also showing a good performance at this conference, so we will prepare well. I think it will be a great match,” Meneses said in Filipino.

Despite being underdogs, the Foxies possess the firepower to push the Cool Smashers to their limits. With Jolina dela Cruz stepping up alongside Trisha Tubu, Rizza Cruz, Aly Bertolano, and Caitlyn Viray, Farm Fresh will look to defy the odds and stage a massive upset.

Both the Foxies and Solar Spikers — with their playoff fates hanging in the balance — will be fighting with urgency, hoping to overcome two of the league’s most formidable teams in a pivotal PVL showdown.