CREAMLINE looks to make it a crowded leaderboard two weeks into the Premier Volleyball League prelims, but the Cool Smashers are cautiously optimistic about their chances against an unpredictable Akari side at resumption of the All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Thursday.
The crowd favorites, chasing a third straight championship in the league’s centerpiece tournament, scraped past the Farm Fresh Foxies last Saturday, overcoming a stinging defeat in a marathon first set duel before squeezing out a 34-36, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 victory.
Now, the crowd favorites face another formidable opponent in the Chargers, who, despite their recent four-set defeat to the Cignal HD Spikers, present a strong challenge to the defending champions.
Former Petro Gazz standout Grethcel Soltones, now with the Chargers, is eager to improve on her initial 14-point performance against the HD Spikers but looks to receive solid support from Dindin Manabat, Faith Nisperos, Princess Madrigal, Fifi Sharma and Joy Soyud.
Although the seasoned Manabat contributed 12 points, the rest of the Chargers failed to reach double figures.
The Cool Smashers, on the other hand, are out to bounce back with a more cohesive lineup featuring Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Pangs Panaga, Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, Bernadeth Pons and Risa Sato.
A victory by Creamline would place them alongside PLDT, Chery Tiggo and Choco Mucho with a 2-0 record. But a reversal could create a three-way tie at 1-1 with the Angels.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, seeks to notch its first victory as it takes on the Capital1 at 4 p.m.
While the Foxies, led by Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Chinnie Arroyo and Rizza Cruz, have demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams, the Solar Spikers, one of the league’s two new teams, are still searching for consistency.
Despite being shut out by the Crossovers in their debut, coach Roger Gorayeb expects an improved performance from veterans like Janine Navarro, Patty Orendain, Arianne Layug and skipper Jorelle Singh, as well as young talents like Sydney Niegos and Shyra Umandal.
Fans can catch the games live on free-to-air on One Sports, in HD on One Sports+, as well as on the PVL’s official website (pvl.ph) and the Pilipinas Live app. The global coverage includes the new free-to-air channel – RPTV.
Games Thursday
4 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Capital1
6 p.m. – Akari vs Creamline