It would be another epic showdown in the Premier Volleyball League, and expect protagonists Creamline and Choco Mucho to go all out as they clash for the 2024 All-Filipino Conference title starting on Thursday, May 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Cool Smashers were the first to book the first finals berth, crushing the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, for their 11th championship round appearance.

The Flying Titans came a few hours later, outlasting the Petro Gazz Angels, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, for a three-game sweep of the round-robin semis.

Both found themselves in familiar ground, having battled each other in the finals of the Second All-Filipino Conference in December last year.

But Choco Mucho eyes to change the narrative this time after losing the title to Creamline in that best-of-three matchup that went down the wire.

“Nakita ko sa players, coaches and management na pumunta kami dito para kunin yung panalo,” said Alinsunurin moments after earning that second finals berth.

“Kasi yun talaga yung goal namin after nung last year na championship. Sabi namin, kailangan naming makabawi ulit at makapasok sa finals. Kung ano yung mga adjustment na kailangan naming gawin, sana magawa namin,” he added.

The Flying Titans, indeed, rose to the occasion. Despite losing key players Bea De Leon and Denden Revilla at the start of the conference, they managed to outplay their rivals and went on to finish the eliminations at second with a 9-2 win-loss card before winning all three semis matches.

But they are just starting. Along with Sisi Rondina, Isa Molde, Cherry Nunag, Royse Tubino and skipper Maddie Madayag, Choco Mucho vows to fight for that breakthrough title until the very end.

You can see it in our eyes, na gusto naming manalo kasi syempre naka-experience na kaming makapag-finals last conference. So ganun pala yung feeling, masarap. Gusto namin ulit, we want more,” said Madayag.

Creamline, though, is not handing that trophy on a silver platter.

Armed with a wide championship experience, the Cool Smashers are hoping to strengthen their league dynasty as they eye their eighth title overall.

They almost lost their footing, finding themselves on the brink of elimination in the pivotal stretch of the elims, only to come out triumphant by claiming the fourth seeding in the elims with an 8-3 mark.

“Ang target naman namin is ma-defend yung crown. Masaya kami na naka-finals kami, pero hindi pa tapos ang trabaho,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.

“Bawal mag-relax,” added Jema Galanza. “Kailangan 100 percent kami kasi yung kalaban namin gustong makuha yung title sa amin. Di kami nasa-satisfy hangga’t hindi pa natatapos.”

Apart from Galanza, the Cool Smashers are expected to have Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez and Kyle Negrito at the forefront of their charge.

Game 2 will be on Sunday, May 12, while Game 3, if necessary, will be on May 14. All matches will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.