PVL: Creamline seeks 1st win, Cignal targets undefeated start

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Like chalk and cheese is what’s in store for today’s Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference game day as the Creamline Cool Smashers aim to pick up their first win, while the Cignal Super Spikers look to hike their undefeated win-loss record to 3-0.

In a classic doubleheader today, Cignal kicks off the PVL’s fifth game schedule of the All-Filipino Conference against the hungry and revamped Farm Fresh Foxies.

The Super Spikers are currently having one of their best starts in the PVL, only dropping a single set across their first two games, defeating the Galeries Tower Highrisers and the Eya Laure-led Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

Cignal handed Galeries a cruel debut game in the conference after sweeping them in three sets, 25-17, 25-14, 25-11, led by the star trio of Tin Tiamzon, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos.

Meanwhile, Laure and the Flying Titans presented a tougher challenge to Cignal as they dragged them to four sets, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18, with the help of Santos’ 18-point production.

The Super Spikers are currently in a joint lead with the Nxled Chameleons, sharing an identical 2-0 win-loss record, and a dub over Farm Fresh would put them at solo No. 1.

However, Cignal can’t take Farm Fresh lightly after the Strong Group Athletics (SGA)-backed franchise nearly took down the Chameleons, but fell short in the fifth and deciding set.

The Foxies still have the firepower to match up with any team, especially with the addition of veteran outside hitters Ara Galang, Mylene Paat, and Royse Tubino.

Can Farm Fresh replicate its gutsy spirit against the league’s No. 1 team, or will Cignal maintain its momentum and continue its dream PVL start?

Moving on, a different fate awaits the Cool Smashers as the winningest franchise in PVL history dropped a rare opening game, receiving a demoralizing sweep from the PLDT High Speed Hitters.

PVL fans aren’t used to seeing Alyssa Valdez and Creamline lose an opening match, especially in their pet conference.

The lack of offensive efficiency hounded their chances against the High Speed Hitters, as only Bernadeth Pons and Tots Carlos reached double digits in scoring, with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

PVL critics reiterated that they are still adjusting to the arrival of newcomer Jen Nierva, the star libero of the now-disbanded Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers, as well as the return of Jia Morado-de Guzman, their primary setter before Kyle Negrito.

It will be a tough task as they are slated against Choco Mucho, another hungry squad fueled by a disappointing loss against the league-leading Super Spikers.

Can Creamline redeem themselves and bag their first win of the All-Filipino Conference, or will Choco Mucho’s will propel them to a bounce-back victory?

Game, set, and match. Volleyball fans, turn on your devices for another action-packed PVL doubleheader today!