Creamline targets lead share

Games today:

(Playtime FilOil Centre)

1 p.m. — Farm Fresh vs Nxled

3:30 p.m. — AEP Cabstars

vs FEU-DN Steel

6 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Creamline

Defending champion Creamline targets a second straight win and a share of the lead in a showdown against rebound-seeking Galeries Tower in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series today at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers are looking for a follow-up to their opening day win last week in their return to action at 6 p.m.

In front of a 19,106-strong crowd inside the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, Creamline flexed its depth and firepower in a 25-18, 25-21, 25-18, sweep of Akari to begin its title-retention bid.

Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses believes the all-to-play format is working well with his stacked lineup, giving Creamline an advantage in rotation compared to other teams.

“Actually, I think we’re the team with the most number of players. So, our whole conference will depend on how we’ll utilize our teamwork since it’s an all-to-play conference. We have to adapt to that,” Meneses said.

Creamline had no problem getting numbers from its players.

Last game, 12 of the Cool Smashers’ scoring players contributed points as Jema Galanza paced the squad with 16 points.

“It’s a huge help for us to have all players contributing when fielded. They really have to work hard when they make the lineup,” Meneses added.

In contrast, the Highrisers must find a way to get everybody working on the same page to get into the win column.

Erika Deloria was the lone bright spot in Galeries Tower’s 23-25, 22-25, 15-25, defeat last Tuesday to Farm Fresh.

On the other hand, the Foxies and Nxled cross paths at 1 p.m. with the winner preserving an unbeaten record.

The two teams are tied with Creamline in second spot behind Choco Mucho (2-0).

Farm Fresh will bank on Mylene Paat-Rezanova, Ces Molina, Trisha Tubu and Jonna Perdido to add the Chameleons in its list of victims.

But Nxled is no easy team to beat.

The return of former Season Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle from a minor shoulder injury has put the Invitational Conference runner-up Chameleons on the radar of top title contenders.

Van Sickle poured 11 points in Nxled’s 25-16, 25-20, 25-18, domination of PLDT last Tuesday.

Aside from the Filipino-American, Chameleons Italian mentor Ettore Guidetti is also pinning his hopes on veterans Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, Jackie Acuna, EJ Laure-Carino and prized setter Gel Cayuna.

“It’s a great gift to have an incredible amount of very good players. So, the role of the all-to-play, all-to-start can also be a very good weapon for us because, besides the players that I’m putting on the court, all of them are great players,” Guidetti said.

Meanwhile, AEP Cabstars and Far Eastern University-DN Steel open their campaign in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference in a clash at 3:30 p.m.