The mouthwatering matchup between talent-laden squads Creamline and F2 Logistics take the spotlight today in the treacherous semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The two teams — top finishers in the action-packed elimination phase — square off at 6:30 p.m. following the equally-intriguing semis showdown between Cignal and PLDT at 4 p.m.
The Cool Smashers, out on a title-retention drive after topping Pool A, are slightly favored over the Cargo Movers.
But the Cargo Movers, who topped Pool B, are raring to prove their worth with a lineup beefed by three top rookies who are out to step up to the plate against a seasoned Creamline side.
Expect Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses and counterpart Regine Diego to go to their top guns in a bid to gain the needed momentum and confidence, guaranteeing an intense clash among Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, Ced Domingo and Jia De Guzman and Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, Ivy Lacsina, Aby Maraño, Myla Pablo and Kim Domingo.
The Cool Smashers, out on a title-retention drive after topping Pool A, are slightly favored over the Cargo Movers.
Bench support will also be crucial with Kyle Negrito, Risa Sato, Pangs Panaga and Bernadette Pons ready to provide ammo for Creamline and F2 Logistics expecting to draw big games from Ara Galang and rookies Jolina dela Cruz, Mars Alba and Jovelyn Fernandez.
Stamina and endurance are also coming into play as all four teams are coming into the semis a bit drained following a grueling campaign in the elims that produced a number of five-set results.
In fact, PLDT went through a two-hour, 42-minute grind to outlast Chery Tiggo in five sets late Tuesday and clinch the last semis slot in a match marked by a record 45-minute battle in the fourth set.
The High Speed Hitters likewise lived through to stay in the finals hunt despite the absence of injured top hitter Jovie Prado as the rest, including Me-an Mendrez, Dell Palomata, Mika Reyes, Michelle Morente and Fiola Ceballos, raised the bar and delivered in the clutch to oust Chery Tiggo.
But the High Speed Hitters will be taking on a fired-up Cignal squad which cut the tall Choco Mucho side down to size with a clinical three-set romp behind Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Ces Molina, Rose Doria and Riri Meneses and playmakers Gel Cayuna and Gyzelle Sy.
A couple of foreign squads from Vietnam and Japan will stir up the finals race in the mid-season conference of the league with Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh and Kurashiki Ablaze strutting their wares in an interesting showdown at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
F2 Logistics and Creamline actually carry 1-0 slates into the semis after topping the qualifier while Cignal and PLDT tote 0-1 cards after the HD Spikers and the High Speed Hitters yielded to the Cool Smashers and Cargo Movers, respectively, in elims play.
