TITLEHOLDER Creamline stakes its hold of the top spot against winless PLDT, while a resilient Perlas side finally makes its debut as it plays with unbeaten Choco Mucho today in the resumption of the PVL Open Conference.

Having dodged the bullet the last time out, the Cool Smashers seek to extend their perfect run to four games as they take on the Power Hitters at 1 p.m. to open the league’s first tripleheader of the season at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

After hurdling their health and safety protocol requirements, the Perlas Spikers finally take the floor in the 4 p.m. clash with the Flying Titans.

BaliPure, which pulled off a massive reversal of fancied Chery Tiggo last Thursday, plays Cignal HD in the nightcap at 7 p.m.

Creamline found Black Mamba-Army a tough nut to crack before carving out a narrow 20-25, 25-15, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13 victory Thursday to remain on top of the standings at 3-0.

PLDT, on the other hand, is still looking for a breakthrough as the league debutants are coming off a 26-28, 25-10, 25-27, 11-25 loss from the hands of Choco Mucho last Wednesday.

All eyes will be on Perlas, the last club to make its debut in the now-pro league.

It has been a challenging past two months for the Perlas Spikers, who dealt COVID-19 issues in the Baguio training camp as well as in entering the Ilocos Norte bubble that delayed their season opener for a week.

With only a couple of training sessions after clearing the protocols, Perlas will have a tough grind as it will have a couple of back-to-back sets this week that will test its character.

After playing the Titans, the Perlas Spikers will take on the Crossovers tomorrow before taking a two-day breather for another back-to-back set to end the week.

Taking one step at a time, Choco Mucho improved to 2-0 following last Friday’s 25-17, 25-22, 25-20 romp of Sta. Lucia.

The Water Defenders, for their part, have sent a message that they are no pushovers

Ranged against Jaja Santiago-led Chery Tiggo, BaliPure turned to Graze Bombita to pull off a shocking 19-25, 25-19, 13-25, 27-25, 15-13 victory to move up to 1-1.

The reversal will be a confidence booster for the Water Defenders as the HD Spikers, who at 1-2 are tied with the Lady Troopers in sixth place, are still groping in form.

Games today:

(PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center, Bacarra)
1 p.m. – Creamline vs PLDT
4 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Perlas
7 p.m. – Cignal HD vs BaliPure