Petro Gazz and Creamline set out for a pair of repeats over PLDT and F2 Logistics, respectively, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday with an eye on forging another clash for the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino crown.
The Angels and the Cool Smashers matched four-set victories in the opener of their respective best-of-three semifinal series over the weekend and both are keen on re-asserting their might to add another chapter to a rivalry that began to take shape in 2019.
But PLDT and F2 Logistics will surely be coming in today’s crucial matches armed with a different mindset and key adjustments needed to keep them in the hunt for a title breakthrough in this league.
Petro Gazz coach Oliver Almadro downplayed their big fightback but credited the High Speed Hitters for pushing his wards to outdo themselves.
“PLDT is a really great team. But great teams will just push us forward," said Almadro, whose wards will be taking on the High Speed Hitters at 4 p.m. "Na-push nila kami to our limits, so nakita namin kung ano pa yung pagkukulang, especially nung first set at nung second set na pitpitan talaga.”
Like the High Speed Hitters, the Cargo Movers will need a lot of adjusting to do to slow down the Cool Smashers in their 6:30 p.m. match. Creamline unloaded 69 attack points against F2’s measly 38-hit output partly caused by the continued absence of Myla Pablo, who has not seen action since cramping out against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last March 7.
Despite their edge, Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses has stressed the need for his wards to brace for a big F2 comeback, saying: “Hindi pa tapos yung laban. So, kailangan pa talaga magprepare. Pero happy kami naka-isa na kami sa F2."