Action further heats up in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference when semifinal hostilities start on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Streaking Creamline and Choco Mucho seek to preserve their momentum when they clash with separate foes in Game 1 of their respective best-of-three affairs.

The Cool Smashers, who topped the eliminations with an impeccable 11-game sweep, tangle with the dangerous Chery Tiggo Crossovers at 4 p.m., while the Flying Titans, who boast of their own 10-game winning run, square off with the Cignal HD Spikers at 6 p.m.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses is not discounting his team’s impressive efforts in the elims, but he still continues to challenge his stalwarts to exceed their performances in this critical stage of the tournament.

“Yung goal namin is mas mataas pa sa eliminations. But we need to work hard,” said Meneses.

Focus will be more on keeping the momentum rather than protecting their unblemished run as far as Meneses is concerned, as he continues to rely on the deadly trio of Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao to crank up their respective games.

Meneses is also leaning on his ever reliable reinforcements like Bernadeth Pons and Jeanette Panaga, as well as the veteran hands of Alyssa Valdez, whom he decided to rest in their last game against Galeries Tower to prepare for the Final Four war.

While Creamline is on a streak, Chery Tiggo is on a skid after having dropped its last two matches including a shutout loss to Choco Mucho in Iloilo last weekend.

But expect the Crossovers to bring out their best form with hopes on drawing the first blood, but also to avenge their 25-22, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16 defeat to the Cool Smashers in the elims last Nov. 28.

Deputy coach Kungfu Reyes has his eyes on the sister tandem of Eya and EJ Laure, along with Ces Robles, Mylene Paat, Cze Carandang and Ponggay Gaston to challenge the Cool Smashers.

Meanwhile, Creamline’s sister team Choco Mucho is also banking on their consistency in setting the tone on their semis affair with Cignal.

“Mataas ang kumpiyansa namin pero ang goal is iangat pa ang confidence level namin sa semis,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, who has Sisi Rondina, Kat Tolentino, Isa Molde, Bea De Leon and Maddie Madayag at the forefront of their attack.

But the HD Spikers are determined not just to get back at the Flying Titans but also to boost their finals drive with Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Vanie Gandler and Gel Cayuna spearheading their charge.