By Francis Allan L. Angelo
Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. – Cignal vs. Akari
6:30 p.m. – Capital1 vs. Farm Fresh
PLDT ended Creamline’s 19-game winning streak with a thrilling 30-28, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 16-14 victory in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The High Speed Hitters not only handed the Cool Smashers their first loss since the 2024 Reinforced and Invitational Conferences, but they also solidified their push for a Top 3 finish.
Savi Davison delivered a career-high 34 points, outshining Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons in a heated spiking duel.
However, it wasn’t just Davison’s offensive brilliance that carried PLDT to victory. The High Speed Hitters’ defensive wall, anchored by Dell Palomata and Fiola Ceballos, proved decisive. Their final block on Tots Carlos’ attack attempt sealed the victory, leaving the Cool Smashers stunned.
“I’m tired but very glad. My team held out in the fifth set,” said Davison, who once again earned Best Player of the Game honors. “I’m just proud of how hard we worked to get this win.”
The match was a battle of resilience, with PLDT overcoming a rollercoaster final set. After falling 5-8, the High Speed Hitters surged ahead 13-9 before Creamline forced a 14-all tie. When the pressure peaked, Davison delivered a clutch attack, followed by Palomata and Ceballos’ game-winning block on Carlos.
With the win, PLDT improved to 7-3, tying Choco Mucho and Cignal for third place. The victory also boosts their confidence ahead of their final preliminary match against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in Iloilo on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Creamline’s loss reshaped the race for the No. 1 seed. With Petro Gazz sweeping Galeries Tower earlier, both teams are now tied at 9-1, setting up an intense final stretch.
At one point, it looked like another Creamline comeback was in the works. The jam-packed arena, dominated by Cool Smashers fans, erupted as the defending champions battled back from a straight-sets deficit, forcing a deciding fifth set.
However, Davison, who had five blocks and 17 excellent receptions, and the High Speed Hitters had other plans. They stayed composed, showing power, grit, and nerves of steel in a match that stretched two hours and 38 minutes.
Majoy Baron stepped up defensively, finishing with 15 points and three crucial blocks, while Fiola Ceballos added 14 markers. Mika Reyes and Erika Santos chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, as PLDT’s well-balanced attack neutralized Creamline’s firepower.
Pons led Creamline with 23 points, while Carlos added 16 markers. Jema Galanza and Bea de Leon contributed 11 points each, while Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga scored eight apiece. Alyssa Valdez, who played only in the first two sets, finished with six points.
Despite their offensive depth, the Cool Smashers struggled to break PLDT’s relentless defense and clutch execution.
Statistically, both teams were nearly even, highlighting the match’s competitiveness. PLDT outran Creamline in attacks (72-67), while the Cool Smashers had the edge in blocks (17-15) and aces (7-4).
In free points, PLDT surrendered 21 errors, while Creamline gave up 22, proving just how evenly matched both teams were. Ultimately, PLDT’s resilience in crunch time proved the difference.
ANGELS EXTEND WIN STREAK TO EIGHT
Petro Gazz maintained its winning momentum in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, dispatching Galeries Tower 25-18, 25-18, 25-22 on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 87-minute victory, their eighth straight and ninth overall (9-1), solidified their hold on the No. 2 seed, just behind Creamline (9-1).
Despite the sweep, the Angels faced unexpected resistance in the third set due to communication lapses.
After dominating the first two sets, Petro Gazz looked poised for a rout, but Galeries Tower refused to back down. Led by Jho Maraguinot, the Highrisers kept the match competitive, capitalizing on misreads and hesitant plays from the Angels.
“There is still a lot to fix in our communication,” said Aiza Pontillas, who finished with 12 points, earning Best Player of the Game honors.
“We also need to play with more consistency and lessen our unforced errors,” she added.
Pablo led Petro Gazz’s offensive charge with 17 points, while Brooke Van Sickle added 15 markers. MJ Phillips provided seven points and crucial defensive stops at the net.
Meanwhile, Galeries Tower dropped to 1-10, with Maraguinot scoring 12 points but struggling to get consistent support. Ysa Jimenez managed seven points, while Roselle Baliton and France Ronquillo chipped in six apiece.
With the score tied at 14, the Angels found themselves in a seesaw battle. After pulling ahead 19-15, they allowed Galeries Tower to rally, making it 22-23 after a rare attack fault from Pablo.
But Pablo redeemed herself, delivering back-to-back clutch plays, including a powerful crosscourt hit past libero Alyssa Eroa, sealing the win.
Despite their dominance in spikes (48-36), blocks (9-6), and aces (5-2), the Angels acknowledged their need for better communication heading into the playoffs.
Petro Gazz wraps up its elimination round against Nxled on Thursday, aiming to iron out inconsistencies before the crucial postseason.
“We need to address this before the playoffs,” Pontillas said. “We can’t let errors and miscommunication cost us in bigger games.”
