HUNGER will define the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals – and both Cignal and Creamline insist they’re bringing plenty of it.
Cignal’s drive comes from uncharted territory, chasing a breakthrough championship. Creamline’s, however, is rooted in something just as powerful: the urgency of returning to the throne after an uncharacteristic title drought.
“It’s been a while, right? Almost a year? We missed three conferences,” said Alyssa Valdez in Filipino, the emotional anchor of the Cool Smashers. “Honestly, no words can fully explain what we’re feeling at this moment. Of course, we’re very happy – it feels so good to be back in the Finals.”
At 32, Valdez remains a central force for Creamline – and perhaps the most battle-tested Finals performer in the series.
The best-of-three championship showdown begins Tuesday (April 21), giving both squads time to recalibrate, study tendencies and fine-tune strategies. But beyond preparation, motivation will be equal on both sides.
Cignal has made it clear: it is starving for its first All-Filipino crown. Creamline, meanwhile, refuses to be satisfied with simply returning.
“Of course, we’re happy – it’s been almost a year since we last made the Finals,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. “But that’s how it is – there are ups and downs. What matters is how you recover. The trust within the team is still there. Even when we were down last year, we stayed together. I’m grateful the players are still here, and now we’re back in the Finals.”
Creamline’s road back has been anything but easy. The Cool Smashers survived multiple five-set battles – including a loss to Cignal in the Qualifying Round – before grinding their way through do-or-die wins to reach the championship round.
“That experience – playing in do-or-die games – not every team gets that,” said Meneses. “We’ve embraced the pressure. We’re also blessed to have made it back to the Finals, but as Bernadette Pons said, the real goal is to become champions. That’s what we’ll work hard for – to give our 100 percent.”
Still, the challenge ahead is different.
Cignal enters the Finals with momentum, having beaten Creamline in their last two meetings. But Meneses believes his team’s continuity and health could prove decisive.
“I think Creamline’s core is really a veteran group,” he said. “We’re blessed because our core is still intact. Other teams continue to build and strengthen, but ours has stayed together – that’s our advantage. The chemistry is there. And right now, we’re complete and healthy.”
Even so, Meneses is far from complacent, particularly with Cignal’s cohesion and leadership.
“Cignal is very deserving of being in the Finals,” he said. “Their teamwork is excellent, and their leaders really contribute – especially Gel Cayuna. We’ll give our 100 percent. Our chemistry and familiarity with Jia (de Guzman) will help, and it’s a blessing that we’re healthy now after dealing with injuries earlier.”
Despite Creamline’s pedigree, Meneses brushed aside talk of any clear advantage.
“Every game, people say Creamline has the advantage,” he said. “But Cignal’s core and chemistry are strong – they’ve built that over time. Yes, maybe we have some edge in crowd support and chemistry, but this is the Finals. The teams are evenly matched.”
For Meneses, the series will not be decided by size or power – but precision.
“In the Finals, it’s not about who’s bigger or smaller – it’s about skills,” he said.
