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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Creamline, Choco Mucho begin PVL championship showdown

Creamline, Choco Mucho begin PVL championship showdown

Published Dec 13, 2023 05:54 am

At A Glance

  • Creamline and Choco Mucho take their sister act to center stage when their best-of-three titular showdown unfolds on Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Creamline and Choco Mucho take their sister act to center stage when their best-of-three titular showdown unfolds on Thursday, Dec. 14, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Game 1 of their thrilling affair fires off at 6 p.m. with organizers anticipating a jam packed crowd from the two fan favorite squads.

PVL AFC Creamline vs. Choco Mucho - Michele Gumabao-4408 (1).jpg
Creamline's Michele Gumabao and Choco Mucho's Sisi Rondina are expected to lead their squads when their championship showdown unfolds on Thursday, Dec. 14. (PVL Images)

Creamline has been considered as heavyweights in the league as it eyes an impressive seventh title including the first All-Filipino crown early this year, while Choco Mucho guns for a breakthrough championship win following a series of heartbreaks the past conferences.

Aside from championship experience, the Cool Smashers are banking on a longer respite after sweeping their best-of-three semifinal series against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last Saturday, Dec. 9.

The Flying Titans, for their part, had to endure a knockout match over the Cignal HD Spikers only last Tuesday, Dec. 12, that lasted in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23.

But it appears that Choco Mucho is using that recent win as a springboard going into this nail-biting series.

“We’re very determined to keep this going,” said Kat Tolentino, one of the heroes in their latest match against Cignal.

“This team has gone through a lot and we’re excited to go up against Creamline because we know that we have so much to offer after years of hard work,” she added, noting the squad's seventh-place finishes in the last three conferences.

Apart from Tolentino, Choco Mucho is also drawing strength from hard-hitting Sisi Rondina to anchor the squad with her consistent double-digit performances.

But it was easier said than done, knowing that Creamline boasts of a lineup so intact and deep that none from the 11 other teams -- including Choco Mucho -- weren’t able to match so far.

The Cool Smashers’ strength was evident in their 13-game winning streak, including that 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 victory over the Flying Titans in their first meeting last Oct. 15 and two semifinal triumphs against the Crossovers.

The deadly troika of Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos is slated to be at the forefront of Creamline’s assault, with Bernadeth Pons, Jeanette Panaga and Alyssa Valdez all set to provide reinforcements.

Also expected to spice up the duel would be the matchup between setters Deanna Wong of Choco Mucho and Kyle Negrito of Creamline, as their smart and wit would show how they would further activate their spikers on all angles.

Game 2 would be on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Game 3, if necessary, would be on Dec. 19 also at Araneta.

Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo and Cignal also start their best-of-three battle for third place at 4 p.m.

Related Tags

Choco Mucho Flying Titans Creamline Cool Smashers pvl all filipino conference
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