Stiff challenge
Creamline eyes fourth straight, solo lead
JIA Morado-de Guzman’s playmaking will be crucial as Creamline defends its unblemished record against Capital1 in the PVL Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series.
Games today:
(Santiago Sports Arena)
3:30 p.m. --- ZUS Coffee vs PLDT
6 p.m. --- Capital1 vs Creamline
Defending champion Creamline tests the mettle of Bella Belen and Capital1 as it goes for a fourth straight win and the solo lead in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 Siklab series today at the Santiago Sports Arena in Isabela.
It’s a showdown pitting the Cool Smashers’ battle-tested crew and the Solar Spikers’ rising stars led by Most Valuable Player contender Belen in the explosive main game at 6 p.m.
Creamline puts its perfect slate on the line after rolling past its first three assignments, including a 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17, victory over ZUS Coffee last Saturday.
The Cool Smashers, who are tied with idle Nxled on top of the standings, are beaming with confidence, taking advantage of their deep roster to collect wins under the all-to-play format.
Starters Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, skipper Alyssa Valdez, Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon are contributing their usual numbers but what sets Creamline apart from the rest of the field is the ability of seasoned playmaker Jia Morado-de Guzman to activate even those coming off the bench.
Veterans like Bernadeth Pons and Michele Gumabao as well as young guns Sheena Toring and Barbie Jamili are getting their numbers behind the superb playmaking of De Guzman and even backup setter Kyle Negrito.
Head coach Sherwin Meneses lets the heady Alas Pilipinas team captain De Guzman do her thing, orchestrating plays in different personnel combinations.
“I think in this tournament you don’t know, No. 1, who you are going to play with inside the court and No. 2, who you’ll be going up against on the other side of the court. So, preparation-wise, we have a game plan, but we also have to be flexible to what’s happening inside the court,” De Guzman said.
“We have to learn to respond with in-game adjustments, and our coaches have been doing very well with that. Whoever is inside, our system is rock solid and anyone can perform at any time,” the setter added.
But the Solar Spikers are no pushover team.
In fact, Capital1 has shown great character after going through three five-setters, winning two, in their first four outings.
The Solar Spikers are raring to get back on the winning track after absorbing a 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25, loss to PLDT last Saturday.
Belen has been a steady presence for Capital1 in her second season since her selection as top overall pick last year.
The National University standout is averaging a triple-double, displaying impressive performance on both offense and floor defense.
Aside from Belen, the Solar Spikers are also banking on former MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, Pauline Gaston, Cherry Nunag and setter Julia Coronel to score a huge upset and boost their semifinals bid.
Capital is tied with Akari and Farm Fresh in fourth to sixth with an even 2-2 card.
Meanwhile, PLDT and winless ZUS Coffee meet in the 3:30 p.m. curtain-raiser.
The High Speed Hitters finally arrested an alarming two-game slide with a four-set victory over the Solar Spikers last Saturday, while the Thunderbelles remain winless after three outings and face mounting pressure to revive their semifinal hopes.