JAJA Santiago-Minowa’s official return to the league will depend on Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses decision come game time against Galeries Tower in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL
Games today:
(Victorias City Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Capital1 vs Farm Fresh
6:30 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Creamline
Crowd-darling Creamline headlines the four teams engaging in thrilling court action in the final stop of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown on Saturday at Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental.
Parading a star-studded lineup made even deeper with the signing of Jaja Santiago-Minowa, the Cool Smashers eye a sweep of the province-hopping pre-season competition when they take on Galeries Tower in the main game at 6:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh aims for back-to-back wins against listless Capital1 in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser.
But all eyes will be on Creamline and Minowa for her possible first PVL game in five years.
Minowa’s much-awaited return, however, will be a game-time decision.
“I’ve been asking coach She (Sherwin Meneses). He told me to just wait and see if I’ll be able to play,” said the 6-foot-5 versatile player.
Minowa last saw action in the league back in 2021 when she led defunct Chery Tiggo to the Open Conference crown — the PVL’s inaugural season as a professional league — at the expense of the Cool Smashers in an exciting three-game finale inside the Ilocos Norte bubble.
The now Japanese citizen Minowa also won the tournament’s conference and Finals Most Valuable Player awards.
Creamline signed Minowa earlier this month ahead of the season-opening Invitational Conference.
Seasoned players Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Pang Panaga, Kyle Negrito and Bea de Leon are expected to suit up in Creamline’s follow up attempt to its four-set win over Nxled in Ilagan, Isabela last 8 July.
The Cool Smashers had a long layoff after their match against the Solar Spikers scheduled 8 August in Santiago, Isabela was canceled due to inclement weather brought about by tropical depression “Maymay.”
Galeries Tower is looking to rebound from a straight-sets loss to the Chameleons last 1 August in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
The Highrisers hold a 1-1 win-loss slate.
On the other hand, the Foxies want to end their campaign on a winning note.
Farm Fresh dominated Nxled, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, behind the hot-hitting of Ces Molina, reigning Season MVP Trisha Tubu and Royse Tubino last week in Tubod, Lanao del Norte for a rebound from an opening assignment loss to Galeries Tower.
Capital1 is coming off a 17-25, 23-25, 18-25, defeat at the hands of the Chameleons last 25 July in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
