Mich Morente, trying to score against Akari’s Jho Maraguinot in a recent PVL match, is one of the vital cogs in the PLDT’s surge in the All-Filipino Conference. PVL photo
Creamline hopes to benefit from break
THE week-long break hopes to be beneficial for Creamline as it takes on PLDT, currently the hottest team in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
After losing their season opener, the High Speed Hitters, getting into the right direction under new coach Rald Ricafort, have won four straight matches to contend for a place in the semifinals.
“Sobrang ganda ng nilalaro nila,” said Cool Smashers mentor Sherwin Meneses.
Gunning for the first semis berth, things won’t be easy for Creamline in the 4 p.m. duel with PLDT at the Philsports Arena.
The Cool Smashers sit in first place at 5-1, while the High Speed Hitters are not far behind with a 4-1 record.
F2 Logistics, which has a 4-2 slate along with idle PetroGazz in third place, also seeks to bolster its semis bid against Choco Mucho in the day’s other match at 6:30 p.m.
Ricafort, who steered the Angels to the Reinforced Conference title last year before moving to the High Speed Hitters, is relishing the underdog tag against the Cool Smashers.
“Yung mindset, definitely yung challenge iee-embrace namin na gusto namin ang ganoong laro. Ganoon din yung feeling namin before facing Chery Tiggo and PetroGazz na alam naming definitely kami ang dehado,” said coach Rald Ricafort.
When it comes to cohesion, PLDT has seemed to finally get into the groove of things, as Ricafort has found the right combinations to contend.
“Yun na, malapit na,” said Ricafort. “Suwerte ako kasi yung players na involved, talagang nag-buy in sa sistema. So madali yung transition. Yung small details, ipa-polish pa.”
