PLDT’s Mika Reyes tries to score of PetroGazz’s Jonah Sabete during their PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals match Saturday. PVL photo
PetroGazz, Creamline hope to add new chapter to storied rivalry
PETROGAZZ and Creamline set out for a pair of repeats over PLDT and F2 Logistics, respectively, at the Mall of Asia Arena with an eye on forging another clash for the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino championship.
The Angels and the Cool Smashers posted four-set victories in the opener of their respective best-of-three semifinal series over the weekend and both are keen on re-asserting their might in an attempt to add another chapter to a rivalry that began in 2019.
PetroGazz nipped Creamline in the Reinforced Conference finals, but the Cool Smashers got back at the Angels right in the next Open Conference.
They faced off again in the same tournament, then known as Open Conference last year with Creamline still prevailing.
But the High Speed Hitters and the Cargo Movers will surely be coming in today’s crucial matches armed with a different mindset and key adjustments needed to keep them in the hunt for a breakthrough.
PetroGazz recovered from a first-set stumble before tripping PLDT, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18, in last Saturday’s Game 1.
Coach Oliver Almadro downplayed the Angels’ big fightback but credited the High Speed Hitters for pushing his wards to outdo themselves.
“PLDT is a really great team. But great teams will just push us forward,” said Almadro, whose wards hope to eliminate the High Speed Hitters at 4 p.m. “Na-push nila kami to our limits, so nakita namin kung ano pa yung pagkukulang, especially nung first set at noong second set na pitpitan talaga.”
“What’s good is that these girls are really fighters. They’re humble and they’re fighters, and they really want it,” he added.
Like the High Speed Hitters, the Cargo Movers will need a lot of adjusting to do to slow down the Cool Smashers in their 6:30 p.m. match.
In last Saturday’s 26-24, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15 victory, Creamline unloaded 69 attack points against F2 Logistics’ 38-hit output partly caused by the continued absence of Myla Pablo, who has not seen action since cramping out against Choco Mucho last March 7.
Despite their advantage, coach Sherwin Meneses has stressed the need for his Cool Smashers to brace for a big Cargo Movers comeback, saying: “Hindi pa tapos yung laban. So, kailangan pa talaga magprepare. Pero happy kami naka-isa na kami sa F2.”
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