4 p.m. – ZUS Coffee vs Creamline

6:30 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Cignal

ILOILO City – Expect fireworks to erupt as Cignal faces Chery Tiggo Saturday, July 19, seeking not just for Pool B supremacy but for the first outright berth in the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour, which resumes at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo City.

With both teams flaunting unbeaten records – Cignal at 3-0 and Chery Tiggo at 2-0 – their 6:30 p.m. showdown promises to be a no-holds-barred duel. More than just momentum is at stake as the winner secures a vital head start in the race to the playoffs, making this a virtual playoff preview and an early statement game in the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Iloilo, a regular PVL out-of-town destination known for its heritage churches and world-class jusi and piña fabrics, is expected to be buzzing with volleyball fever once again. With the league having cultivated a strong fanbase in the city, another jampacked and electric crowd is anticipated for this weekend’s explosive twin-bill.

But the fireworks begin as early as 4 p.m., when Creamline (2-1) takes on ZUS Coffee (1-1), in what serves as a perfect appetizer to the evening’s main course. The Cool Smashers, eager to bounce back from a stunning straight-set loss to the HD Spikers last July 1, will look to regain their rhythm against a squad hungry to prove itself in a stacked field.

Adding intrigue to both matches is the 12-day break for Chery Tiggo and ZUS Coffee, allowing them to recharge and recalibrate. While some might fear rust, both squads are expected to come out well-prepared, knowing full well what’s at stake.

Cignal has been on a tear despite missing top scorer and Alas Pilipinas standout Vanie Gandler. The HD Spikers stunned the Cool Smashers in straight sets behind the emergence of new recruits Erika Santos and Tin Tiamzon, alongside rookie Erin Pangilinan. With stalwarts Ishie Lalongisip, Roselyn Aquino, Jackie Acuña, Heather Guino-o and playmaker Gel Cayuna stepping up, the team has found a balanced and dangerous mix of offense and defense.

Chery Tiggo, for its part, looked equally sharp in its victories over Capital1 and Akari. Coach Norman Miguel has drawn stellar performances from promising rookies Renee Penafiel and Jyne Soreno, returning middle Imee Hernandez, and the reliable core of Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador and Pauline Gaston.

With both teams rolling and motivated, expect a ferocious showdown from the first serve, with tactical mind games, strategic adjustments and individual brilliance likely to play deciding roles.

Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers remain a potent force led by stars Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, Lorie Bernardo and rookie Sheena Toring. They’ll look to shake off their lone loss and reassert themselves as title contenders.

But ZUS Coffee, bannered by veterans Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chai Troncoso, Fiola Ceballos, and a dynamic group of young guns including rookies Alexa Miner and Mycah Go, along with Kate Santiago, and Chinnie Arroyo, won’t back down from the challenge. The Thunderbelles are bent on proving they belong with the league's elite, and an upset over the Cool Smashers would do just that.

The intensity won’t dip Sunday, with Cignal facing ZUS Coffee at 4 p.m. and Creamline and Chery Tiggo rekindling their rivalry at 6:30 p.m. The tight turnaround will test the teams’ conditioning and mental toughness, crucial elements in this compressed but competitive preseason tour.