HEAVYWEIGHTS Creamline Cool Smashers and Cignal Super Spikers look to seize a crucial 2-0 advantage when they collide in the semifinals of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The game is set at 6:30 p.m.
Both squads opened their semifinal campaigns on a high note last Saturday, with Creamline outlasting PLDT High Speed Hitters in a grueling five-set thriller, while Cignal dominated Farm Fresh Foxies after dropping the opening frame.
With a finals berth within reach, the winner of the Creamline-Cignal clash will gain a significant edge in the standings and set-point ratio.
The 10-time champions Cool Smashers showcased their championship poise in their 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10 escape over PLDT, refusing to yield despite moments of adversity.
“We just knew that fourth set was ours. Even when PLDT was ahead, we kept fighting and trusted each other,” said Bernadeth Pons, who erupted for a game-high 28 points.
Creamline, now in its 10th semifinal appearance, is determined to reclaim the All-Filipino crown after finishing runner-up to Petro Gazz in 2025.
Behind the leadership of veteran Alyssa Valdez and playmaker Jia De Guzman, the Cool Smashers remain a formidable force with a healthy, intact roster.
Meanwhile, Cignal leaned on its firepower to dismantle Farm Fresh, 23-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-12. Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler spearheaded the charge with 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Gandler emphasized that the team’s growth stems from past setbacks.
“Our key players left, but we’ve added new ones. It took time to build chemistry, but the heart of Cignal comes from all the heartbreaks we’ve experienced,” she said.
In the earlier game at 4 p.m., Farm Fresh and PLDT seek redemption to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Foxies will turn to Trisha Tubu and Royse Tubino, while the High Speed Hitters will rely on Savi Davison and Kianna Dy to force a series turnaround.
