by Kristel Satumbaga
Games Today (Ynares Center, Antipolo)
2 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs PetroGazz
4 p.m. – Pacifictown Army vs Creamline
Creamline and PetroGazz try to seal a projected title showdown when they go for the clinchers in their respective semis series today in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Reinforced Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The defending champion Cool Smashers tangle with the Pacifictown Army Lady Troopers at 4 p.m. while the PetroGazz Angels collide with the Banko-Perlas Spikers in the 2 p.m. opener.
Both Creamline and PetroGazz drew the first blood in their respective best-of-three semifinal series on Wednesday, with the Cool Smashers besting the Lady Troopers, 26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, and the Angels downing the Perlas Spikers, 25-19, 25-15, 21-25, 25-12.
Despite the advantage, Creamline and PetroGazz remain wary of their opponents after dropping a set in the openers.
For them to advance to the finals, they need to play with utmost consistency – not to mention playing with fire in their eyes.
Game 3, if necessary, will be on July 10 at The Arena in San Juan City.
Creamline’s depth will also be its main weapon with Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado teaming up with imports Ale Blanco and Kuttika Kaewpin.
Army, for its part, is not losing hope of forcing a rubber match since Olena Lymareva-Flink vowed to give her all.
Flink, who exploded for 31 points in Game 1, however, needs more support from the locals that include Royse Tubino, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Sarah Jane Gonzales.
In the other pairing, the top-seeded PetroGazz will continue to rely on the hot hands of Wilma Salas and Janisa Johnson, who combined for 48 points the last time.
BanKo-Perlas has declared an all-out war as it intends to force a game 3.
Out to lead BanKo-Perlas are Nicole Tiamzon and Sutadta Chuewlim.
