There is no shortage of fireworks whenever the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Creamline Cool Smashers collide on the taraflex, this time in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Ara Galang and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers stake their unblemished record against Michele Gumabao and the Creamline Cool Smashers. | Photos (c) RM Chua/One Sports

It’s the Olympics season, but the Heart of Volleyball beats as lively as ever.

Thrice is volleyball nice as the PVL Reinforced Conference heads to its third week, featuring fresh match-ups and enticing action on the taraflex.

So far, four teams – two each from Pools A and B – remain undefeated and all of them will be in action anew in this brand-new week aiming to keep their respective unbeaten records intact.

Indulge yourself to another stacked volleyball treat and take a look at the latest must-see matches.

July 30, Tuesday – Philsports Arena, Pasig

Game 2: Chery Tiggo Crossovers  vs. Creamline Cool Smashers – 3:00 p.m.

Game 3:  Nxled Chameleons vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters – 5:00 p.m. 

All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app

It’s one of, if not the most anticipated match this conference as two powerhouse squads square off.

In the last All-Filipino tournament, Chery Tiggo pulled off one of the most stunning wins in recent PVL memory, becoming the first team to sweep Creamline in five years in their duel at Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

But the Cool Smashers got their payback when it mattered the most, scoring a crucial semifinal win over the Crossovers to book a Finals spot and eventually, claim their fourth All-Filipino title and eighth championship overall.

However, some notable names from both teams will miss the much-anticipated encounter on Tuesday due to a variety of reasons.

Ace hitter Eya Laure and libero Jen Nierva are still out for Chery Tiggo due to Alas Pilipinas duties, but the Crossovers have seemed fine without their two key players after racking up two straight wins to start their campaign.

Kath Bell remains a steady offensive weapon for Chery Tiggo, who are tied with the PLDT High Speed Hitters atop of Pool A, as veteran Ara Galang has filled the void left by Laure solidly so far.

The Cool Smashers, meanwhile, bounced back after an opening-day loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters thanks to a four-set win over the Farm Fresh Foxies.

Playing already without Jema Galanza also due to national team duties, Creamline has been shorthanded as superstars Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos are yet to see action in this conference.

Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses bared that the two hitters are dealing with minor injuries, but the multi-titled coach assured that his superstar duo should return to the squad as soon as possible.

Import Erica Staunton is slowly getting her offensive rhythm for Creamline, averaging 23 points in her first two outings, while Michele Gumabao and Bernadet Pons are stepping up to the plate behind a combined 33-point average so far.

August 1, Thursday – Philsports Arena, Pasig

Game 1: Petro Gazz Angels vs. Cignal HD Spikers – 1:00 p.m.

Game 2: Capital1 Solar Spikers vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans – 3:00 p.m.

Game 3: Zus Coffee Thunderbelles vs. Akari Chargers  – 5:00 p.m. 

All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app

Comeback is real and the Akari Chargers are the living proof of that statement.

Akari is off to its best start in franchise history, going 3-0 in the Reinforced Conference after completing a stunning reverse sweep of the suddenly skidding two-time defending champion Petro Gazz Angels.

Super import Oly Okaro dropped her second-straight 30-point game, finishing with a team-high 31 points as Akari now have come back twice in a row after being down 0-2.  They did manage to overcome another heavy contender in the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last Tuesday, July 23.

Now in joint leadership with the Cignal HD Spikers in Pool B, veteran hitter Grethcel Soltones admitted things have not gone well with the squad lately but reminded her teammates to keep their laser-focus mentality in game.

“’Yung pinagdadaanan namin as a team kasi these past few months, hindi talaga ganun kaganda. Ang dami rin naming mga training na du’n kami humuhugot ng lakas para maayos ‘yung game,” said Soltones, who led Akari’s locals in scoring with 19 points on 16 attacks and three aces.

“Dapat ‘pag game, game. Sinasabi ko sa mga teammates ko, you have to focus, but not too focused para hindi mawala kasi nakikita ko ‘yung mga teammates ko lalo na ‘pag crucial point.

The Charges are up against the win-seeking ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, who are dead-last in the pool after losses from the Angels, the HD Spikers, and the Flying Titans.

Asaka Tamaru remained at the forefront of the Thunderbelles’ attack, averaging 21 points per game. However, a lack of offensive help has been a clear-cut problem for ZUS Coffee, who are the only winless team in Pool B.

Onward four-ward for Akari or a monumental win no.1 in the books for ZUS Coffee?

August 3, Saturday – Philsports Arena, Pasig

Game 1: Nxled Chameleons vs. Farm Fresh Foxies – 1:00 p.m.

Game 2: Galeries Tower Highrisers vs. Creamline Cool Smashers – 3:00 p.m.

Game 3: PLDT High Speed Hitters vs. Chery Tiggo Crossovers – 5:00 p.m. 

All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app

With less preliminary games in this conference, all teams have little or no time to get carried away with a win or deal with a loss.

Just play the game, live with the results, and move on to the next.

That pretty much sums up the Nxled-Farm Fresh showdown in a battle of two teams seeking a much-needed win that could ignite their momentum moving forward.

The Chameleons recently absorbed a four-set loss against pool leaders Chery Tiggo after winning their opening match over Galeries Tower.

Meegan Hart continues to be the focal point of Nxled’s offense behind her 14-point average this Reinforced Conference, but their local players in Jho Maraguinot, May Luna, and Lycha Ebon are in line to step up to help their import carry the offensive load.

Meanwhile, the Foxies are still in pursuit of that elusive first win in the import-laden conference.

Farm Fresh looked relatively solid against Creamline in their last outing, winning the first set before dropping the next three for a third straight defeat.

 Columbian import Yeni Murillo logged 26 points for the ladies in orange, while lefty hitters Caitlin Viray and Trisha Tubu added 12 apiece before experience trumped youth in the end.