Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. — Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
6:30 p.m. — Cignal vs Capital1
Creamline looks to stay unbeaten while Chery Tiggo hopes to avoid another costly slip when they clash in a crucial Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference showdown today at the Philsports Arena.
The Cool Smashers, fresh off a grueling five-set escape against Cignal, aim to maintain their unblemished record as they take on a Crossovers squad desperate to keep its playoff hopes alive in the 4 p.m. encounter of this prestigious women’s club tournament.
Meanwhile, Cignal aims to bounce back from its sorry loss to Creamline when it battles struggling Capital1 in the second game at 6:30 p.m.
After displaying some traces of vulnerability in their previous 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9 win over the HD Spikers, the Cool Smashers are determined to rebound and re-assert themselves as the most elite club this conference.
Bernadeth Pons, one of Creamline’s top scorers, cited the need for consistency starting with their personal performances.
“I just want to be consistent. My goal every day in training is to improve, even if it’s just by one percent,” said Pons, the 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player who took over in the fifth set to finish with 27 points off 24 kills, two aces and a block while coming through with 14 excellent digs in their previous match.
Pons also acknowledges the challenge of maintaining their top form as they enter the crucial stretch of the elimination round.
“In training, everyone is extremely competitive. It’s tough to score, and no one lets the ball drop easily. That’s why in a game, I won’t just give in easily,” she added.
On the other hand, Chery Tiggo is coming off a tough four-set loss to ZUS Coffee to drop to a 5-4 win-loss mark and share the fifth place with Akari.
Another setback could push the Crossovers further down the standings, making their playoff path even more challenging.
With that, the Crossovers will need to play with a sense of urgency, knowing that a top-four finish remains within reach.
Chery Tiggo coach Norman Miguel will be banking on his core of Ara Galang, Cess Robles, Shaya Adorador, Aby Maraño, Seth Rodriguez and Pauline Gaston to match up against Creamline’s stacked lineup of Pons, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Bea de Leon, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga and Alyssa Valdez.