TAKE YOUR PICK: Creamline, Petro Gazz light up title series

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4 p.m. — Akari vs Choco Mucho

6:30 p.m. — Creamline vs Petro Gazz

The 2024-2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Finals will rekindle a storied rivalry as Creamline and Petro Gazz face off for the fifth time in a championship showdown starting Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game 1 of the best-of-three title series kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with two of the league’s most successful squads vying for yet another PVL crown.

Creamline, gunning for a fifth consecutive and 11th overall title, once again stands as the gold standard in local volleyball. But standing in the Cool Smashers’ way is a reloaded and resurgent Petro Gazz squad seeking its first-ever All-Filipino crown and third PVL championship overall.

Also on the card is the battle for third place between Akari and Choco Mucho at 4 p.m.

The Finals will be a test of both pedigree and progress. Creamline owns a commanding 26-8 head-to-head advantage over Petro Gazz since the latter’s PVL debut in 2018. But of the Angels’ eight victories, two came in the biggest stage — the Finals — highlighted by a comeback from an 0-1 series deficit to clinch the 2019 Reinforced Conference title.

Petro Gazz, however, has not beaten Creamline in their last 14 encounters. But after a commanding semifinal run that included a stunning 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 victory over the Cool Smashers, the Angels are brimming with belief and motivation to flip the script.

“We’re extremely happy because every team dreams of becoming a champion,” veteran setter Chie Saet said.

“We really worked hard for this. We sacrificed a lot. That’s why now, we’ll find a way — we’re going to finish what we started.”

The journey back to the Finals has been marked by grit and growth for Petro Gazz. Leading the charge is Myla Pablo, whose stellar postseason performance has brought her back to peak form.

“It’s different when it’s the All-Filipino,” Pablo shared.

“In the Reinforced Conference, the import often leads, but here, everyone steps up and contributes.”

‘It’s been a long, grueling conference, and to be here now is amazing. I wouldn’t want to do this with any other team.’

Pablo also lauded the team’s collective effort, singling out Filipino-American star Brooke Van Sickle, who has been instrumental throughout the conference.

“This Finals is for Brooke,” Pablo added.

“Her contribution has been incredible. Even during team-building, we said — this is for her. All of us stepped up, even the substitutes.”

Van Sickle, who joined Petro Gazz just over a year ago, is relishing her first Finals appearance.

“It feels very surreal,” she said.

“It’s been a long, grueling conference, and to be here now is amazing. I wouldn’t want to do this with any other team.”

Veterans like Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Djanel Cheng have also stepped up, reinforcing Petro Gazz’s depth and stability.

On the other side, Creamline enters the Finals with its trademark composure and championship pedigree.

The Cool Smashers remain a powerhouse led by stars Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons, Alyssa Valdez, Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga — each capable of taking over at any moment.