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PVL offseason outlook: Creamline, Cignal, Akari, PLDT get much-needed break after grueling conferences

Kiko Demigillo
Tuesday, September 17, 2024

With the PVL on a break, Creamline, Cignal, Akari, and PLDT are taking the time to rest, recover, and prepare for the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.

PVL offseason outlook: Creamline, Cignal, Akari, PLDT get much-needed break after grueling conferences
The Cool Smashers, HD Spikers, Chargers, and High Speed Hitters are expected to be among the title contenders next PVL season. | Photos (c) RM Chua/One Sports, Art by Mitzi Solano/One Sports

It’s offseason time for the PVL, meaning that teams will have a chance to get a breather and start fresh come the new season in November.

But looking ahead to what is expected to be an extended All-Filipino Conference, how are PVL teams shaping up with squads likely to be at full strength?

Here’s a quick review and outlook of some of the title-contending teams in the league.

Creamline Cool Smashers

2024 All-Filipino Conference: Champions

2024 Reinforced Conference: Champions

2024 Invitational Conference: Champions

The Cool Smashers are definitely on a high after accomplishing the historic grand slam.

After battling it out in the Reinforced and Invitational Conferences, which were just a week apart, Creamline will use this offseason to rest and recover.

The scary part? Expect superstars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos to be back in action for the 10-time PVL champions next season.

That’s why it won’t be hard to assume that the Cool Smashers will easily be the title favorites to win the All-Filipino crown, and maybe even go for another grand slam.

Cignal HD Spikers

2024 All-Filipino Conference: 6th place

2024 Reinforced Conference: 3rd place

2024 Invitational Conference: Runner-up

This past PVL season was full of heartbreaks for the HD Spikers after coming close to the title twice.

Standing in their way in both conferences were eventual champions, the Cool Smashers.

With the offseason in full swing, Cignal will look to make a quick mental and physical recovery and put it all together this time, hoping to bring home their first-ever PVL title.

Akari Chargers

2024 All-Filipino Conference: 7th place

2024 Reinforced Conference: Runners-up

2024 Invitational Conference: Skipped

The Chargers made a giant leap during the Reinforced Conference after making it to the finals—albeit with some controversy.

The offseason will prove to be crucial for Akari, as it is a much-needed mental reset following the heavy criticism the Chargers faced at the end of the Reinforced Conference.

Nonetheless, the Chargers have proven that their roster changes before the season were worth it.

But the question now is, whether Akari is indeed a title contender in the All-Filipino Conference? We’ll find out soon enough.

PLDT High Speed Hitters

2024 All-Filipino Conference: 5th place

2024 Reinforced Conference: 4th place

2024 Invitational Conference: Skipped

A string of fourth and fifth places have cursed the High Speed Hitters.

It wasn’t the ending that PLDT had also hoped for in the Reinforced Conference after coming close in the semifinals against Akari.

The controversial loss significantly affected the players and coaching staff, who needed this offseason to recover mentally.

PLDT also had its superstars Kianna Dy and Savi Davison miss out on the last two conferences.

Hoping for a healthy season this time, the High Speed Hitters look primed and ever-motivated to bag its first PVL title next season.