THE FINAL CHAPTER

Like this piece of action in Game 2, the rubber match will be a toss-up. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Creamline has built a long-running empire it swears to protect. Petro Gazz craves nothing less than to satisfy an urge.

One team will walk away with the PVL All-Filipino Conference title on Saturday, as the Cool Smashers and the Angels battle one final time in the high-stakes finale of their championship showdown.

Craving for this lone diadem that eluded them in the past, the Angels seemed ready to finally seize it by taking the series opener, only to squander the entire plan in a Game 2 five-setter that didn’t go their way.

Energized by that spirited win that reduced their face-off for the plum down to a last skirmish, the Cool Smashers are driven to add another hardware to their trophy cabinet.

“We cannot let this season end without winning the championship,” said Jema Galanza, who connived with Bernadeth Pons and Pangs Panaga in saving the night for Creamline in the fifth set on Thursday. “One more game against one team, I’ll just focus on my job and hopefully we get this done.”

Pons generated the cushion the Cool Smashers needed, while Panaga and Galanza conspired with hammering blows in warding off the Angels in the final frame.

“We just embraced the challenges. We’ll go all out on Saturday,” said Pons after unloading four of her game-high 22 points in the crucial moments of the closing set, apart from posting nine digs and 12 receptions. “There’s no more tomorrow, we will definitely fight for this.”

Hitters Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, middle blocker Bea de Leon and setter Kyle Negrito are likewise expected to play crucial roles for them to secure the 11th title for the franchise.

History is definitely on Creamline’s side, plus the psychological advantage of snatching their recent match, but it hardly matters for a Petro Gazz side that won six games in a row since the quarterfinals, two of them versus the Cool Smashers.

“We just want to forget Game 2. All our efforts will now be directed to winning Game 3,” said Myla Pablo after the Angels bungled the opportunity to sweep the best-of-three series.

Brooke Van Sickle will be tightly guarded by the Creamline defense, while middle blockers MJ Phillips, Ranya Musa and hitter Jonah Sabete should be watched closely along with Pablo.

Veteran setter Chie Saet will be tasked to set up their offense along with Djanel Cheng.

The Angels own two PVL Reinforced Conference titles and multiple podium endings, but never had a trophy in a conference without imports.

That’s why this series, where they know they have the tools to finally win one, could be the most important for the Petro Gazz franchise.

“It’s difficult to create adjustments with just one day [before the game], so this championship will be decided based on how much they want it. Let’s see on Saturday,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.