Creamline is the PVL’s greatest dynasty.
Since the Premier Volleyball League turned pro, and even before that actually, the Cool Smashers have ruled the women’s volleyball scene in the Philippines with an iron fist.
Creamline is the standard by which all teams are measured, and the Cool Smashers are the greatest challenge all teams must overcome if they want to win a championship.
Creamline is a powerhouse in every sense of the word, but as the Cool Smashers defend another one of their many championships, the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference presents a rather unique challenge.
You see, the season-opening tournament has Creamline in its most vulnerable state.
Seedings count… ?
The sample size of PVL’s playoff history is probably still too small to truly gauge what seeds are favorable when it comes to the postseason, but Creamline being no. 4 entering the All-Filipino semis seems rather significant.
Since the PVL turned pro for the 2021 Open Conference, only one no. 4 seed has entered the Finals. Safe to say, no no. 4 team has won the title.
Previous history going against Creamline for once aside, a factor in the Cool Smashers being “vulnerable” is the team’s actual losses.
Creamline lost a three-set stunner to former Finals tormentor Chery Tiggo, shattering the team’s 19-game winning streak.
The Cool Smashers’ cloak of invisibility seem to have gone with that 19-game streak, as they also later lost a close five-setter to longtime rival Petro Gazz, before losing for the first time ever to PLDT, the game that dropped them to fourth place.
Of course, there’s also the close call against Cignal, where Creamline had to come back from a two-set deficit and needed a historic Tots Carlos performance to pull out a victory.
In the grand scheme of the All-Filipino Conference, the HD Spikers game proved to be the ultimate swing decision, further adding to the evidence that Creamline might be more vulnerable than ever.
Does it matter though?
Creamline being “vulnerable” would definitely be music to the ears of the three other contenders in Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo, and Choco Mucho.
However, the Cool Smashers, being the playoff risers that they are, could simply just turn around and win anyway. After all, the last time they were “vulnerable” when they lost two starters, they ended up sweeping a whole tournament.
So in the end, does it really matter though?
Probably not. The games still have to be played, and as a true primer to the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals, here’s how all the contenders got there.
#1 Petro Gazz Angels (9-2)
Petro Gazz made last year’s All-Filipino Finals, and actually took Game 1 from Creamline before eventually losing in three games.
The preseason champs, the Angels maintained their strong play in the PVL proper, taking the league’s best record thanks to superior points.
As loaded as they are, the Angels boast one thing the other three contenders don’t: they have a complete team.
With MJ Phillips back in the fold, Petro Gazz has a complete set of weapons that also include MVP contender Brooke Van Sickle and the explosive Jonna Sabete.
Look for Petro Gazz to set the tone early in the semifinals with its complete lineup.
#2 Choco Mucho Flying Titans (9-2)
Choco Mucho’s Finals breakthrough in the Second All-Filipino Conference last year seems to have done the team wonders.
The Flying Titans are true blue contenders now, led by their ace in Sisi Rondina.
If there is one glaring weakness to Choco Mucho’s game however, it’s certainly the team’s inability to get over the hump against the Cool Smashers.
In a round robin setting, one game might spell the difference… unless the Flying Titans decide this is the best time for another breakthrough.
#3 Chery Tiggo Crossovers (9-2)
Since becoming the first-ever champions of the PVL professional era, the Crossovers have not made it back to the Finals.
This conference looks like the time to change that.
After a “wake up” call from Farm Fresh, Chery Tiggo has racked up seven-straight wins, easily the hottest team in the league.
Eya Laure, with the guidance and swag multiplier of Aby Maraño, has come up and assumed a key role with the Crossovers, taking the identity of streak busters.
A speed bump in the Crossovers’ title drive is the quick absence of Mylene Paat, who is in Korea to attend KOVO tryouts.
#4 Creamline Cool Smashers (8-3)
It’s unfamiliar territory to the aforementioned Cool Smashers, who are certainly not used to being last among qualified playoff teams.
Like the Crossovers, Creamline is also missing a key piece for these PVL semifinals due to the KOVO tryouts, with Tots Carlos also currently in Korea.
But Creamline still has an array of clutch queens on deck, led by Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza.
The Cool Smashers will be alright… they will be, right?