Cool Smashers, Angels Eye Top Spot in PVL

Games Today (Thursday, Feb. 22, 2025)

4 p.m. – Creamline vs. Galeries Tower

6:30 p.m. – Nxled vs. Petro Gazz

Creamline and Petro Gazz are expected to dominate Galeries Tower and Nxled, respectively, in three or four sets as they aim to secure the top two spots in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference qualifying round at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

However, the struggling Highrisers and Chameleons will go all-out to build momentum and boost their confidence ahead of tougher matchups in the next round.

With the preliminary round nearing its final playdate, the Cool Smashers and Angels, both at 9-1, are neck-and-neck in the race for the No. 1 seed. Creamline holds a slight edge with 29 set points, compared to Petro Gazz’s 27.

Regardless of who finishes on top, both teams are set to advance to the serpentine pairing system, which pits the No. 1 seed against No. 12, No. 2 against No. 11, and so on.

Creamline will also be looking to bounce back after its 19-game winning streak—dating back to last year’s Reinforced Conference—was snapped by PLDT in a five-set thriller last weekend. That victory by PLDT added unpredictability to the tournament, but the Top 4 teams remain favorites to reach the best-of-three quarterfinals.

Even losing teams in the qualifying round can still fight for a quarterfinal spot through a play-in tournament for the last two berths.

On paper, Creamline and Petro Gazz are expected to cruise past Galeries Tower and Nxled. However, the 1-9 Highrisers and Chameleons remain determined to pull off an upset.

“It’s okay. Even though we lost last night, we recovered today and bounced back a bit. We didn’t dwell too much on yesterday’s loss,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.

Creamline, led by Jema Galanza, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, and Pangs Panaga, holds a clear advantage over a Galeries Tower squad featuring Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacion, Roselle Baliton, France Ronquillo, Jho Maraguinot, and rookie setter-hitter Julia Coronel.

While Creamline looks to rebound, Petro Gazz is aiming to extend its winning streak to nine against Nxled.

“Nxled had a good game last time. Tonight, I’ll start analyzing. But right now, I can’t say yet,” said Angels head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

Petro Gazz will rely on Brooke Van Sickle, Aiza Pontillas, Remy Palma, MJ Phillips, and Nicole Tiamzon to power its attack. Meanwhile, the Chameleons will look to EJ Laure, Chiara Permentilla, Jaycel delos Reyes, Lucille Almonte, and May Luna to challenge the league powerhouse.

Games are aired live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and PVL.ph.