Defending champion Creamline continues its title-retention bid when it faces F2 Logistics in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinals series in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday, March 18, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Creamline and F2 Logistics tussle at 4 p.m. in the first offering of the semifinal double-header.

Interestingly, it was the Cargo Movers who handed the Cool Smashers their lone defeat in the elimination round in a five-set showdown last Feb. 18.

However, Creamline managed to finish as top seed at the end of the single round-robin elimination with a 7-1 card sans skipper Alyssa Valdez who went through a “procedure” for the right knee injury she sustained last December.

Michele Gumabao has since taken the matter into her own hands and is currently the league’s No. 1 Best Spiker, behind her are teammates Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza at second and third, respectively.

With a reliable cast, reigning champion Creamline looks to secure a spot in the finals and face the victor between Petro Gazz and PLDT.

The Cargo Movers, though, who finally booked their first playoff berth in the league since their participation two years ago, are equally inspired for a potential championship bid.

F2 Logistics will rely on its veterans Kianna Dy, who finished second in the scoring department and the league’s Best Blocker Aby Maraño, to tow them into a dream finals ending just as they had in the elimination with a 6-2 slate, enough to claim the fourth seed.

In other best-of-three duel, Petro Gazz, which finished as second-ranked in the tournament, is ooking to return to the finals in its 6:30 p.m. encounter with PLDT.

The Angels, who finished with a 6-2 record with a superior set ratio of 19 points compared to the High Speed Hitters and Cargo Movers’ 18 and 16, respectively, are gunning to make it a back-to-back conference championship.

Meanwhile, the High Speed Hitters are hoping to translate their return to the playoffs since Invitational in 2022 with a win.