By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The stage is set once again as multi-titled Creamline and championship-hungry Akari battle for the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference crown in a winner-take-all match on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Both teams got an extra day off for their 6 p.m. tussle after their original schedule last Monday, Sept. 2, was moved due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Storm Enteng.
While players for both sides are eager to make history, fans are getting vicious and personal especially on Akari’s Ezra Madrigal.
A source who spoke on condition that she will not be named disclosed that even Akari coaches have received unpleasant messages.
The needed respite is expected to be enough for the Cool Smashers and the Chargers, who are coming off hard-fought semifinal matches over the weekend.
Creamline crawled back from a two-set deficit and turned back a fiesty Cignal side, 20-25, 26-28, 25-18, 27-25, 15-13, while Akari squeaked past the mighty PLDT crew, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15.
It would be a story between “Dynasty versus Destiny” as Creamline also guns for an unprecedented ninth title in league history while Akari seeks for its breakthrough crown after not having placed higher than seventh since joining the league in 2022.
The stakes are also high for the Chargers as they also aim for a tournament sweep of the conference against an experienced rival that had previously done it in the past.
The finals may be unfamiliar territory for Akari, but expect them to go all out as coach Taka Minowa casts his eyes on Oly Okaro, Ivy Lacsina and Grethcel Soltones to bring them to Promised Land.
But that would be easier said than done as Creamline boasts of a rich championship history.
Without key players, the team is pinning its hopes on Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, and import Erica Staunton.
Meanwhile, PLDT and Cignal collide at 4 p.m. in the battle-for-third honors.
