ASSEMBLING A STREAK
Coming off first victories, Creamline and ZUS Coffee try to put up a streak at each other’s expense when they clash in the PVL All-Filipino Conference eliminations as the Cool Smashers try to keep gaining chemistry in their rock-solid roster led by the returning Jia de Guzman.
The Thunderbelles, on the other hand, will be led by middle blocker Thea Gagate, with the towering sophomore attempting to minimize the damage a potent Creamline frontline led by Bernadeth Pons can do to any team that doesn’t stay on its toes defensively.
“Our target is to improve everyday—in training and in actual games,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said in Filipino after steering his Cool Smashers to a four-set victory over Choco Mucho over the weekend. “We need to gain chemistry. That’s very important.
“The will to win is always there,” Meneses went on. “But our target is to gain chemistry while winning games.”
The first serve is at 6:30 p.m. and the Thunderbelles shoot for a follow-up to an exciting five-set conquest of Akari the last time.
“We just need to remind them the things they need to do,” interim coach Onyok Getican said in Filipino, referring to his Thunderbelles, who surprisingly lost to lowly Galleries Towers earlier.
“They did get a morale boost (after beating the Chargers),” Getican said. “So we just have to put those two early losses behind.”
Reading the floor
On paper, the 10-time champion Cool Smashers have the advantage as they are healthy and stacked with talent. They lost to the PLDT High Speed Hitters on their debut as they welcomed back De Guzman and Pons.
But De Guzman read the floor differently against the Flying Titans and the Cool Smashers rallied behind their grizzled captain as Creamline again looks like the dynastic team of old—at least in that match against Choco Mucho.
The Thunderbelles absorbed a blow with the injury to middle blocker AC Miner, but they have steadied themselves after their early setbacks. Fresh off a runner-up finish in the Reinforced Conference, they remain hungry for another finals run.
Gagate anchors the defense at the net and will be up for a battle against Pangs Panaga and Co. Consistency will be crucial for ZUS Coffee, with setter Cloanne Mondonedo tasked with maximizing the production of Chinnie Arroyo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Renee Peñafiel, Kate Santiago, Wielyn Estoque and Fiola Ceballos.
Meanwhile, Choco Mucho and Capital1 square off at 4 p.m. as both teams try to rebound from losses.
Eya Laure remains a game-day decision after exiting their previous match against Creamline with groin and abdominal issues. She had already poured in 19 points before being forced out. In her possible absence, Sisi Rondina is expected to shoulder a heavier scoring load, with support from Dindin Manabat, Kat Tolentino, Jaila Atienza, Lorraine Pecaña, Des Cheng and Tia Andaya.
After two weeks, only Nxled (3-0) and PLDT (2-0) are the only unbeaten teams left, but they will clash on March 19.
