Games today:
(Philsports Arena)
4:00 p.m. — Creamline vs Army
6:30 p.m. — Akari vs PLDT
Defending champion Creamline sets its sights on putting a foot inside the semifinals door when it takes on winless Army in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Cool Smashers, who share the lead with tournament tormentor F2 Logistics with identical 4-1 win-loss records, need to win two more games to safely secure a spot in the Final Four.
Creamline will try to draw closer to a semis seat in the 4 p.m. duel which will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. clash between surging PLDT and a now confident Akari.
Despite the news of losing top hitter Alyssa Valdez, who underwent a procedure on her right knee injury she sustained in the Reinforced Conference battle for third last December, the Cool Smashers rebounded from a stinging loss to the Cargo Movers with a morale-boosting win over Chery Tiggo last Saturday.
Jema Galanza, who took over the leadership role left by Valdez, was unstoppable in Creamline’s 17-25,
25-11, 25-19, 25-21, win after dropping a triple-double of 25 points, 13 digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Despite facing a team that has lost all of its first four games of the conference and 15 straight matches overall since last year’s Invitational Conference end of elimination round, Galanza knows that it will be a big mistake if the Cool Smashers allowed themselves to relax against the Lady Troopers.
“There is no pushover or easy team in this league. We have to work hard to earn every win as a team,” Galanza said.
Tots Carlos, who only played three sets last game due to a hamstring injury, is expected to get more active participation this time alongside Michele Gumabao, Ced Domingo, Jeanette Panaga, setter Jia
Morado-de Guzman and libero Kyla Atienza to back Galanza.
Army bowed down to Choco Mucho in five sets, 25-23, 20-25, 16-25, 27-25, 11-15, last Thursday.
Meanwhile, PLDT is riding the crest of a three-game winning streak and holds a 3-1 slate at solo third spot behind Creamline and F2 Logistics.
The High Speed Hitters behind the 21-point explosions of Mean Mendrez and Michelle Morente outlasted Petro Gazz, 21-25, 31-29, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13, five days ago.
Akari, on the other hand, snapped a three-game skid with its first win of the season at the expense of Army, 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, last week.
