Cool Smashers, High Flyers start PVL title clash
Creamline and PayMaya set out for Game One of the best-of-three series for the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference crown today (Sunday) riding on a contrasting pair of sudden death victories in the Final Four but with the same drive – win at all costs.
For one, the Cool Smashers are seeking redemption after settling for a pair of third place finishes de-spite a strong roster in last year inaugurals of the league organized by Sports Vision although their campaign then was hampered by Alyssa Valdez’s commitment with the national team and her interna-tional stint.
Angel Antipuesto of Pocari foils one of Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez’s vaunted attacks in sudden death of their semis duel. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
This time, however, the former Ateneo hotshot has dedicated her time and effort to Creamline’s title bid, helping give the Cool Smashers a crack at a first-ever championship with consistent games from the elims to the semis.
Gametime is at 3:45 p.m. which can be viewed live via streaming on sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/pvl. It will be shown on a delayed basis starting at 7 tonight on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23.
The duel for third between Pocari and BanKo-Perlas will be shown live starting at 1:45 p.m.
“Our goal is really to go into the championship and win it,” said Valdez. “But we worked hard to get here (finals) given the sacrifices and all the injuries that hit the team.”
But PayMaya is also all primed up for the championship on its very first finals stint on a team built around a never-say-die crew that bounced back from two sets down to foil BanKo-Perlas in their do-or-die contest for the other finals berth.
While Creamline pounced on Myla Pablo’s absence to finish off Pocari-Air Force in three in their side of the semis rubber match, PayMaya had to buck overwhelming odds, including a poor showing in the first two sets, a 21-23 deficit in the fourth and a big BanKo-Perlas’ fightback in the fifth to advance.
“I always tell them not to lose hope and be confident,” said multi-titled PayMaya coach Roger Go-rayeb, who hopes to draw the best from imports Tess Rountree and Shelby Sullivan and local aces Grethcel Soltones, Jasmine Nabor, Lizlee Ann Pantone, Aiko Urdas, Jerilli Malabanan and Celine Do-mingo in the series opener.
But the High Flyers must also neutralize Creamline’s vaunted offense made up of Valdez and Thai Kuttika Kaewpin with Laura Schaudt also expected to put in her share along with Risa Sato, Jia Morado, Melissa Gohing and Michelle Gumabao.
Cignal and Air Force also start their own series in the league backed by Mikasa and Asics for the men’s crown at 6 p.m.
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