Fan favorites Creamline and Choco Mucho renew their championship rivalry on Thursday, May 9, when Game 1 off of their best-of-three finals series in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference fires off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Organizers expect another jam-packed venue in the scheduled 6 p.m. tussle  after the two squads drew a record-breaking crowd of 24,459 fans in Game 2 of their finals showdown last December in the Second All-Filipino Conference.

Both teams gun to draw the first blood in their anticipated thrilling affair, with Creamline seeking an unprecedented eighth title and Choco Mucho aching for a breakthrough crown after falling short the last time.

Their hunger for that coveted title is what keeping the Flying Titans going, as the stalwarts of coach Dante Alinsunurin are hoping to ride on the crest of their three-game sweep of the semifinals including a morale-boosting 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 win over Creamline.

“Yung edge namin dito yung gutom namin na makakuha ng championship,” said Alinsunurin. “Eto yung matagal na hinihintay ng mga players and coaches eh.”

Choco Mucho skipper Maddie Madayag added they are driven to deliver for their injured teammates in Kat Tolentino, Aduke Ogunsanya and Des Cheng.

“May mga hugot kami eh. Madami kaming teammates na down, lalo na this conference, so gusto lang naming maglaro para sa kanila,” said Madayag, who is slated to step up along with Sisi Rondina, Isa Molde, Royse Tubino, Mars Alba and Cherry Nunag.

“It’s against our odds, but lagi kong sinasabi na resilient ang Choco Mucho. Kahit anong mangyari, babangon at babangon kami,” she added.

Creamline, meanwhile, knows it would be an uphill battle to reach the summit this time after nearly missing a semis berth by finishing fourth at the end of the elims -- a stark contrast of its 11-0 elims sweep last conference.

But these adversities are what keeping the Cool Smashers motivated to strengthen their dynasty.

“Para sa akin, naging maganda ang season namin dahil kahit na natalo kami, nandito pa rin kami sa championship kaya masaya kami sa mga nangyari,” said Creamline skipper Tots Carlos, who is expected to step up along with Jema Galanza, Pangs Panaga, Kyle Negrito and Michele Gumabao.

 “Yung proseso na lagi naming sinasabi, yun ang pinakamahalaga, at ang championship ang premyo namin,” she added.

Game 2 will be on Sunday, May 12, while Game 3, if necessary, will be on Tuesday, May 14.

Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz also begin their battle for the bronze medal at 4 p.m.