You didn’t see that coming?
The first half of the PVL Reinforced Conference group phase is about to conclude, which means the other half of it certainly brings more drama, action, and high-octane volleyball in the taraflex.
When the dust is settled, the top three teams from Pool A will face the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three squads from Pool B will compete against the lower-ranked teams of Pool A in Pool D in a crossover format.
But before that, one chapter has to end in order for the next to continue.
So say your prayers, PVL fans, take your vitamins, and you will never go wrong with this enticing new week of volley action.
August 3 Tuesday – Philsports Arena, Pasig
Game 1: Akari Chargers vs. Cignal HD Spikers - 1:00 p.m.
Game 2: Capital1 Solar Spikers vs. Zus Coffee Thunderbelles- 3:00 p.m.
Game 3: Petro Gazz Angels vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans- 5:00 p.m.
All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app
Bring out the brooms… but the question is for who?
The answer to that will be finally uncovered as unbeaten teams Cignal and Akari square off in a must-see opening bout for the no.1 spot in Pool B.
Nobody expected that both teams would be in this position, steamrolling opponents one after the other that paved the way for identical 4-0 records in Pool B, not in a group where defending, two-time Reinforced champion Petro Gazz Angels are in, or where the back-to-back All-Filipino silver medalists Choco Mucho Flying Titans are also present.
Despite missing their main defensive anchor in libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and oustide hitter Vanie Gandler due to Alas Pilipinas commitments, the HD Spikers have tied their best start in franchise history since the 2022 Invitational Conference.
They did so in a flawless showing against the Angels in their last outing, committing a PVL-record six errors– including just one in the first set- in a sweeping win last Thursday, August 1.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Red-hot Cignal is one win away from pool sweep after sending reeling Petro Gazz to third straight loss in Reinforced Conference]
The Chargers then followed suit with quick dismissal of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to extend their franchise-best start with no signs of slowing down.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Akari extends franchise-best start to 4-0 with quick sweep of ZUS Coffee in Reinforced Conference]
Expect a lot of points from import Oly Okaro and MJ Perez, who are the second and third best scorers so far in the tournament. In four games, Okaro tallied 99 total points as Perez is closing in with 95 markers overall.
And there is Ivy Lacsina, the second best local scorer behind Brooke Van Sickle, who emerged as a consistent offensive threat alongside Gretchel Soltones, Ced Domingo, and Camille Victoria to name a few.
Besides Perez, the ever-reliable team captain Ces Molina –Cignal’s top local scorer–, Jackie Acuña and Riri Meneses picked up the scoring cudgel so far for the spotless HD Spikers.
Another awesome win in the books for Cignal or a strong charge in store for Akari?
August 6, Thursday – Philsports Arena, Pasig
Game 1: Farm Fresh Foxies vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters- 1:00 p.m.
Game 2: Creamline Cool Smashers vs. Nxled Chameleons- 3:00 p.m.
Game 3: Galeries Tower Highrisers vs. Chery Tiggo Crossovers - 5:00 p.m.
All games are LIVE on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app
Dropping their opening game and missing some key players, the Creamline Cool Smashers faced early obstacles in the Reinforced Conference.
No problem for the winningest franchise in PVL history.
The streaking Cool Smashers are now gunning for a fourth win and the top seed in Pool A heading to the crossover phase when the ladies in pink face the skidding Nxled Chameleons.
Creamline, who are still without the trifecta of Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos, is currently tied with the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers atop with identical 3-1 records.
But the Cool Smashers were made to work in their last outing against the Galeries Tower Highrisers with a narrow four-set win.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Bernadeth Pons resets career-high again as Creamline wins third straight in Reinforced Conference]
Erika Staunton and Bernadeth Pons emerged as the new 1-2 combo for Creamline, with Staunton averaging a team-best 24 points per game and Bernadette Pons (19.4 PPG) emerging as the top scoring local.
Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, and Bea De Leon are still there to pour support in the frontline as the Cool Smashers are now gaining steam in the best time possible.
Meanwhile, Nxled eyes to end a three-game skid after winning their opening game of the tournament over the Highrisers.
The Chameleons hold a 1-3 win-loss slate, good for fifth and will certainly finish among the bottom three teams in the pool regardless of the result.
But a winning start heading to the crossover phase brings a positive outlook moving forward on a team who suffered setbacks against the Crossovers, High Speed Hitters and the Farm Fresh Foxies.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Farm Fresh wins second straight in Reinforced Conference after sweep of Nxled]
Chiara Permentilla, Nxled’s top scorer so far, remains the anchor the offense and don't expect to it to change against Creamline as import Meegan Hart, Lycha Ebon, and Jho Maraguinot man the second line of attack for the ladies in green and black.
Can the Cool Smashers keep the winning vibes or will the Chameleons carve out a huge upset?