Petro Gazz coach looks forward to face off with Creamline

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Full video:

Creamline vs Petro Gazz, PLDT vs Chery Tiggo: Who has the edge?


Let’s look at two of the intriguing do-or-die matches in the PVL playoffs

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ONE of the PVL’s most intriguing match-ups will have its latest chapter unfold in a high-stakes knockout-quarterfinal showdown.

Having won 24 of their 31 all-time head-to-head duels since 2018, Creamline, on paper, might historically have the upper hand over a Petro Gazz side which has won the last two Reinforced Conferences.

But even as they’ve struggled early with a rare string of pool play losses, the Angels were quick to make up for lost ground by winning their last four prelims matches to secure the No. 6 seed.

Photo by: Ivy Ferrer

The prize, however, is an opening playoff date with an undermanned yet still formidable Cool Smashers side even without their star trio in Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza.

On the flip side, a star-studded duel between top teams PLDT and Chery Tiggo will feature two of the PVL’s most explosive imports and an array of De La Salle Lady Spikers greats from years and title runs past.

Which pair of powerhouse sides will escape their early demolition derbies?

Petro Gazz the ‘challengers,’ Creamline the ‘queens’

Fueled by the desire to fight for their late champion import Janisa Johnson, there’s this newfound confidence igniting Petro Gazz’ three-peat bid since they turned the corner after a lackluster start marred by multiple injuries and illnesses.

Hence, Petro Gazz head coach Koji Tsuzurabara believes that even if they’re the two-time defending champions, they remain challengers to Creamline’s dynastic seven-year reign in the PVL.

“We are the challengers. They are queens. Very dangerous. Maybe, I can’t sleep until the end,” the Japanese mentor said.

Photo by: Sherwin Vardeleon

But Creamline, in the eyes of its lead playmaker Kyle Negrito, isn’t the PVL’s most successful franchise for nothing.

And the chemistry and consistency they’ve shown, with or without their ‘star players,’ upon amassing eight championships are proof of what they could still pull off in the face of their toughest PVL adversity.

“Matagal na rin naman kaming magkakasama so walang problema,” said Negrito.

Will PLDT seek vengeance over Chery Tiggo?

PLDT and Chery Tiggo’s pool-play marathon reached five grueling sets, one that saw the latter pull off a great escape to deal the High Speed Hitters only their second loss of the conference.

The High Speed Hitters’ plan? Make minor tweaks for a major comeback — one that’ll hopefully send them to the semifinals.

Photo by: Sherwin Vardeleon

“Nu’ng last game namin, ‘yung preparation lang namin ay based sa past games ni Chery nung time na ‘yun. Siguro this Tuesday, at least na-try na namin (silang kalabanin) so aaralin namin ‘yung game namin ngayon,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort.

“Malaking bagay ‘yung naglaro na kami para ‘yung maliliit na adjustments, ma-correct namin.”

And although a champion spiker in Khat Bell has already made quite the name for herself, it’ll be up to the Crossovers’ local core if they’ll be pulling off a deep title run.

“Pagdating sa locals namin, sila ‘yung talagang backbone ng team. ‘Pag nag-collapse ‘yon, sigurado mahihirapan si Khat alone to deliver. She can handle ‘yung sarili niya pero ‘yung output ng local, dun magde-determine kung pa’no, at saan pupunta ‘yung team namin,” Chery Tiggo mentor Kungfu Reyes asserted.