Games Saturday
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Cignal
6 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
MANILA — In a commanding performance, Creamline exhibited a volleyball masterclass against Chery Tiggo, securing a convincing victory with set scores of 25-18, 27-25, 25-22.
This triumph positions the Cool Smashers on the brink of securing a coveted spot in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference Finals, a testament to their unbeaten record of 12 matches.
The Cool Smashers showcased remarkable resiliency, particularly in the extended second set, quashing any hopes of a comeback by the Crossovers and decisively clinching the semifinal opener.
Their pursuit of a 10th championship appearance overall intensifies as they gear up for Game 2 scheduled at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).
Addressing the upcoming challenge, Cool Smashers coach Sherwin Meneses emphasized the team’s focus on continuous improvement.
“Siyempre, hindi pa tapos ang laban. Kailangan pa namin ng one game para makapasok sa Finals. Training muna kami tomorrow (today) then tignan muna yung mga lapses namin para maganda pa ang ilalaro namin,” said Meneses.
In a notable turn of events for the season-ending tournament, Creamline’s trio of Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, and Alyssa Valdez delivered standout performances.
Galanza led the charge with 17 points, showcasing 16-of-30 attacks, along with nine receptions and seven digs.
Carlos contributed 15 points and displayed remarkable defensive prowess with 12 digs, while Valdez, in her best game of the conference, secured 12 crucial points, especially in the second set.
Reflecting on the intense matchup, Valdez acknowledged the challenging competition from Chery Tiggo.
“We all know Chery Tiggo will give us a good fight talaga. So every point we will have to work hard talaga so iyon ang naka-mindset sa amin,” said Valdez.
She also expressed gratitude for securing the pivotal second set, deeming it “very crucial.”
Galanza, humble in victory, attributed her stellar performance to the collective efforts of her teammates. “Siguro nagawa yung ganoong laro ko dahil sa mga teammates ko. Kasi tinutulungan po talaga nila talaga ako,” said Galanza.
Kyle Negrito’s precision in distributing plays for the Cool Smashers was evident with 23 excellent sets. On the opposing side, Eya Laure led the Crossovers with 17 points, supported by Mylene Paat and Cza Carandang, each contributing nine points.
Chery Tiggo, ranked fourth in the preliminary round, faces an uphill battle, having now suffered three consecutive losses.
(ai/mnm)
Standings W L
*Creamline 8 0
*Choco Mucho 8 1
*Chery Tiggo 8 1
Cignal 7 3
PetroGazz 6 4
PLDT 5 4
Akari 5 5
F2 Logistics 4 6
Nxled 3 7
Farm Fresh 1 8
Galeries Tower 0 8
Gerflor 0 8
*semifinals
Games today
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Galeries Tower
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Gerflor
6 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
MANILA — In a highly-anticipated face-off at the Philsports Arena, Creamline and Chery Tiggo are set to battle it out in a crucial Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference showdown.
The stakes are high, with both teams eyeing a potential encounter in the Final Four or even the season-ending conference finals.
Creamline, currently unbeaten in eight games, is determined to extend their winning streak, while Chery Tiggo, riding a seven-game winning run marked by back-to-back five-set victories, aims to carry their momentum into the semifinals.
The clash promises intense action, as both teams vie for pride in a match where only rankings are left to be determined.
With Choco Mucho securing a spot in the Final Four, the battle for the last spot is heating up among Cignal (7-3), PetroGazz (6-4), and PLDT (5-4).
The HD Spikers have the inside track, with a match against winless Gerflor as their final preliminary round hurdle on Dec. 5.
However, a surprising turn of events could lead to a scramble, especially with the High-Speed Hitters and the Angels poised to face off on the same day.
Despite Creamline’s flawless record, team captain Alyssa Valdez emphasizes the need for continuous hard work, acknowledging areas for improvement.
Michele Gumabao’s consistent performance, alongside contributions from Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, has kept the Cool Smashers at the top of the standings, with Valdez providing leadership on and off the court.
The spotlight will also be on Kyle Negrito and Risa Sato, who stepped into key roles in the absence of Jia de Guzman and Ced Domingo.
As the teams gear up for this marquee matchup, Coach Kungfu Reyes, at the helm of the Crossovers, emphasizes the importance of building the team’s character and maintaining a never-say-die attitude—a crucial mindset for the upcoming pressure-packed semifinals.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho, which is tied with Chery Tiggo in second place at 8-1, shoots to stretch its winning run to nine, as the Flying Titans take on the Defenders at 4 p.m.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsurunin, meanwhile, has shown complete trust in his players, allowing the Flying Titans to stage comebacks without timeouts during their recent matches.
“Sobrang tiwala ako sa lahat ng players ko kaya kahit down kami, never akong nag-time out o i-pressure sila para masabi ko kung ano naging problema,” said Alinsunurin.
It worked as Choco Mucho fought back from 1-2 set down to edge F2 Logistics in the same five-set fashion they toppled Cignal last Nov. 21.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh and Galeries Towers usher in the triple-bill as they collide at 2 p.m. in a duel of also-ran teams with the Foxies looking to nail their second win in 10 games and the Highrisers going all-out to score the elusive victories after eight losses. (ai/mnm)
Standings W L
*Creamline 8 0
*Choco Mucho 8 1
Chery Tiggo 7 1
Cignal 6 3
PetroGazz 5 4
PLDT 5 4
Akari 5 4
F2 Logistics 4 5
Nxled 3 6
Farm Fresh 1 8
Galeries Tower 0 8
Gerflor 0 8
*semifinals
Games today
(Philsports Arena)
2 p.m. – Cignal vs Nxled
4 p.m. – Akari vs PetroGazz
6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs F2 Logistics
MANILA — In the race for the remaining semifinal berths, Chery Tiggo faces off against F2 Logistics in a crucial showdown at the Philsports Arena.
With Creamline and Choco Mucho securing the first two Final Four spots, the competition intensifies as both teams vie for a chance to advance.
Currently holding a strong 7-1 record, Chery Tiggo aims to secure victory in the 6 p.m. match against F2 Logistics.
Meanwhile, Cignal, positioned fourth with a 6-3 card, seeks to edge closer to a semifinal slot against already-eliminated Nxled at 2 p.m.
The battle for survival ensues at 4 p.m. as Akari and PetroGazz, tied with idle PLDT in fifth place at 5-4, strive to stave off elimination.
The Chargers and the Angels face a critical juncture with their fate not entirely in their hands, trailing Cignal by a game.
Cignal, with 19 points, holds the first tiebreaker over PLDT (16), PetroGazz (16), and Akari (14). F2 Logistics, plagued by injuries and recent struggles, seeks redemption against a formidable Chery Tiggo, determined to derail their opponent’s winning streak.
The HD Spikers aim to rebound from a challenging 25-17, 19-25, 25-21, 22-25, 14-16 defeat to the Crossovers last Tuesday, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Meanwhile, Creamline and Choco Mucho have already secured Final Four berths, overcoming the Chameleons and High-Speed Hitters, respectively, on Thursday.
After beating Nxled, 25-23, 25-16, 25-21, Creamline needed a Choco Mucho victory over PLDT, 25-20, 23-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12, to formalize its entry.
As the competition heats up, teams are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
(ai/mnm)
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans PVL PHOTO
Choco Mucho achieved a resounding victory as they swept Chery Tiggo, 25-20, 26-24, 25-15, to finish seventh in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, July 22.
The Flying Titans soared to success with a stellar performance from Caitlyn Viray, who showcased her improved form this conference by contributing an impressive 22 points.
Her powerful attacks, solid blocks, and precise service aces proved to be instrumental in securing the win. Additionally, Viray’s defensive prowess was on full display with eight excellent digs.
Supporting her was the dynamic Sisi Rondina, who chipped in with 15 points, nine digs, and six receptions, providing crucial assistance in sealing the victory.
On the other side, Mylene Paat led the charge for the Crossovers, delivering 15 points and five digs.
Despite their valiant efforts, Chery Tiggo settled for eighth place in the conference.
Choco Mucho’s remarkable performance in the match not only earned them a well-deserved seventh-place finish but also left a lasting impression on fans and competitors alike in the PVL Invitationals. (AI/MNM)