By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Expect records to fall in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as sister teams – Creamline and Choco Mucho – forged another mouth-watering title duel in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference starting on Thursday, May 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers were the first to book the first finals berth, crushing the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, for their 11th finals appearance in the pro league which is likely to see records in sales and gate attendance tumble down.
A few hours later, the Flying Titans followed suit by outlasting the Petro Gazz Angels, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, for a three-game sweep of the round-robin semis.
The first time Creamline and Choco Mucho clashed in the finals of the Second All-Filipino Conference in December last year – the league made a killing, establishing itself as a giant in sports and entertainment industry.
After some roster changes, Choco Mucho is more determined to produce positive result at the end of their best-of-three series.
“Nakita ko sa players, coaches and management na pumunta kami dito para kunin yung panalo,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin moments after earning that second finals berth.
“Kasi yun talaga yung goal namin after nung last year na championship. Sabi namin, kailangan naming makabawi ulit at makapasok sa finals. Kung ano yung mga adjustment na kailangan naming gawin, sana magawa namin,” he added.
The Flying Titans, indeed, rose to the occasion. Despite losing key players Bea De Leon and Denden Revilla at the start of the conference, they managed to outplay their rivals and went on to finish the eliminations at second with a 9-2 win-loss card before winning all three semis matches.
But they are just starting.
Along with Sisi Rondina, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag, Royse Tubino and skipper Maddie Madayag, Choco Mucho vows to fight for that breakthrough title until the very end.
“You can see it in our eyes, na gusto naming manalo kasi syempre naka-experience na kaming makapag-finals last conference. So ganun pala yung feeling, masarap. Gusto namin ulit, we want more,” said Madayag.
Creamline, though, appears ready and confident to protect its crown at all costs.
They are already pride owners of seven titles, but the players, led by captain Alysa Valdez, are still hungry for glory.
They almost lost their footing, finding themselves on the brink of elimination in the pivotal stretch of the elims, only to come out triumphant by claiming the fourth seeding in the elims with an 8-3 mark.
“Ang target naman namin is ma-defend yung crown. Masaya kami na naka-finals kami, pero hindi pa tapos ang trabaho,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Bawal mag-relax,” added Jema Galanza. “Kailangan 100 percent kami kasi yung kalaban namin gustong makuha yung title sa amin. Di kami nasa-satisfy hangga’t hindi pa natatapos.”
Apart from Galanza, the Cool Smashers are expected to have Tots Carlos, Valdez and Kyle Negrito at the forefront of their charge.
Game 2 will be on Sunday, May 12, while Game 3, if necessary, will be on May 14. All matches will be played at tthe Smart Araneta Coliseum.
