CREAMLINE and PLDT are expected to go all out when they take on struggling opponents to bolster their semifinal drive in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday.
Creamline takes on Army at 4 p.m. while PLDT tackles Akari at 6:30 p.m.
The Cool Smashers rebounded from a heart-breaking five-set setback to the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers with an imposing 3-1 romp over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers over the weekend to keep in step with their tormentors in the lead going to the eliminations homestretch of the season-opening conference organized by Sports Vision.
The defending champions shoot for their fifth win in six games against the Lady Troopers to move a win away from securing the first Final Four seat.
PLDT is at third with a 3-1 win-loss card, followed by Chery Tiggo with 3-2 and Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho 2-2 apiece as six teams brace for what looms to be a wild, wooly chase for the playoffs.
Winless in four games, the Lady Troopers are due for a victory after barely clinching one—they lost steam in the stretch for a five-set defeat to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last Thursday.
It was a disappointing loss for Army, which drew double-digit outputs from five players – Jeanette Villareal (19 points), Honey Royse Tubino (17) Nene Bautista (12), Lut Malaluan (12) and Ivy Perez (10)—with Mary Anne Esguerra scoring nine points.
But they still fell short and the Lady Troopers will need a whole lot of everything to topple a solid Creamline side bannered by Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao, Ced Domingo, Pangs Panaga, ace playmaker Jia de Guzman and defense specialist Kyla Atienza.
The High Speed Hitters, on the other hand, seek to nail their fourth straight victory after an opening game loss to the Cargo Movers as they battle the Chargers, who snapped a three-game skid with a four-set victory over the Lady Troopers.
Mary Anne Mendrez and Michelle Morente will be out to sustain their fiery form that anchored PLDT’s thrilling five-set win against the Petro Gazz Angels, also last Thursday.
points against the Troopers, is again expected to lead Akari’s charge along with May Permentill, Princess Madrigal, Janine Marciano and Joy Soyud as they try to stop the High Speed Hitters’ run and boost their own Final Four bid.
Games are telecast live on One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play and SMART Live Stream and on pvl.ph.