Games Tuesday
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – Creamline vs Akari
6:30 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Choco Mucho
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Petro Gazz and Akari try to arrange a rare championship duel in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference when they go for vital wins against their respective semis rivals on Tuesday, April 1, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Riding the crest of a wave of big victories over the weekend, the Chargers seek to sustain their momentum in their 4 p.m. confrontation with the six-time All-Filipino champion Creamline Cool Smashers, while the Angels eye their fourth finals appearance in their 6:30 p.m. tussle with last year’s bridesmaids Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Touted as underdogs in their previous matchups, Petro Gazz and Akari overcame their powerhouse rivals to give them the crucial edge in this round-robin phase. The Angels edged the Cool Smashers, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, while the Chargers survived the Flying Titans, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14.
All eyes, however, will be on the Chargers who could make Creamline supporters cry if they prevail.
If that happens, this could mark the very first championship war in years without Creamline as one of the
protagonists.
Though armed with morale-boosting wins, Petro Gazz and Akari expect their opponents to rise to the challenge. After all, both Creamline and Choco Mucho have enough experience to recover and turn their fortunes around.
The Angels are also holding on to their four-set win over the Flying Titans in the conference opener last November, where Brooke Van Sickle unleashed a monster game of 34 points built on 28 kills, four aces and two blocks.
A lot may have changed since their first meeting but expect the Angels to continue to rely on Van Sickle in fueling their campaign, along with Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete and Chie Saet.
Choco Mucho, which appeared in the All-Filipino finals over the last two years, is eager to get back on track with
Sisi Rondina, Royse Tubino and Isa Molde leading their charge.
In the other pairing, Creamline may have found itself in unfamiliar territory but expect them to unleash its championship experience to keep its title bid alive.
“I think everyone was taking it in,” said Cool Smashers veteran skipper Alyssa Valdez moments after their loss to the Angels.
“We’re trying to leave everything that happened here and move forward. Sila coach (Sherwin Meneses) na rin yung nagsabi na iwan na natin dito, and focus na lang sa training (tomorrow),” she added.
Aside from Valdez, expect Bernadeth Pons, Tots Carlos, Bea De Leon and Jema Galanza to play with renewed fire and confidence against Akari’s arsenal composed of CJ Soyud, Faith Nisperos and Ced Domingo.
