By Kristelle Satumbaga
Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
4 p.m. – Creamline vs PetroGazz
6 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs Ateneo-Motolite
Expect action to further sizzle today as the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference starts its semifinal round at The Arena in San Juan City.
Fancied Creamline and PetroGazz raise the curtain at 4 p.m. followed by the 6 p.m. tussle between BanKo-Perlas and Ateneo-Motolite in Game 1 of their respective best-of-three Final Four series.
Creamline star Alyssa Valdez reiterated her call for the team to be more aggressive at the same time confident despite gaining the top seeding at the end of the double-round eliminations.
“I think having more confidence is one of the keys to winning,” said Valdez.
The Cool Smashers split their two-game elims with the Angels, but Creamline is banking on its recent 25-11, 25-13, 25-23 triumph against PetroGazz to fuel its bid.
Jema Galanza is also set to team up with Valdez along with Risa Sato, Michele Gumabao, libero Mel Gohing and setter Jia Morado.
The fourth-seeded PetroGazz, meanwhile, will have Cherry Nunag, Jonah Sabete, Paneng Mercado and Chie Saet at the forefront of its attack as it seeks to eclipse its fifth place finish in its debut last conference.
In the other pairing, the second-ranked BanKo-Perlas hopes to reaffirm its mastery over Ateneo-Motolite after sweeping them in the elims with Dzi Gervacio, Nicole Tiamzon and Kathy Bersola leading the charge.
