BY ABBY TORALBA
WITH its sights set on a grand slam, Creamline begins its PVL Reinforced Conference campaign when it battles PLDT today at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Cool Smashers, who claimed the Open Conference and Invitational Conference titles earlier this year, will battle PLDT High Speed Hitters at 2:30 p.m.
Unlike other teams, Creamline had international stints prior to the Reinforced tilt as they represented the country in the AVC Cup for Women and Asean Grand Prix.
Skipper Alyssa Valdez, Diana Mae Carlos, Jema Galanza, Ced Domingo, Jia De Guzman, Kyla Atienza, and Jeanette Panaga are expected to lead the way for the Cool Smashers alongside Turkish reinforcement Yeliz Basa.
“As of now naman, iyong condition namin is okay naman. Number one talaga iyong conditioning naming, maging kondisyon sa first day. About sa skills naman, andyan naman (iyon) palagi. Talagang pinaghahandaan lang din namin ng mabuti iyong mga games, not (only) PLDT lahat naman,” Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses said.
Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato, Ella De Jesus, Fille Cayetano, Lorie Bernardo, Kyle Negrito, Rizza Mandapat, Pau Soriano and Rose Vargas complete the cast for Creamline.
PLDT launched its campaign last Saturday and outlasted the United Auctioneers Inc. Army Lady Troopers 17-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-11, 15-11.
“Siyempre, we’re excited na makalaban namin sila kasi champions sila so sa amin opportunity iyon para makalaban sila,” High Speed Hitters tactician George Pascua said.
“Pero siyempre, ang goal parin namin one (game) at a time lang para manalo.”
PLDT will bank on import Elena Samoilenko, Toni Rose Basas, Dell Palomata, Fiola Ceballos, and Mika Reyes.
F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans clash in the other duel at 5:30 for a chance to enter the win column after losing their respective games last Tuesday.
The Cargo Movers fell to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers two days ago 23-25, 21-25, 22-25, and played without their import Lindsay Stalzer due to health and safety protocols and libero Dawn Macandili, who continues to recover from an undisclosed injury.
