Creamline aims to secure a Qualifying Round berth against Akari, while Nxled looks to end its losing skid against ZUS Coffee in a key 2026 PVL All-Filipino double-header.
The race for the Qualifying Round intensifies in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference as two key matches take center stage on Thursday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The opener at 4 p.m. features the Creamline Cool Smashers aiming to secure a qualifying round berth as they take on the Akari Chargers.
The Cool Smashers enter the matchup riding a five-game winning streak, bouncing back strongly from an early loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
Creamline recently survived a gritty five-set battle against the Nxled Chameleons, improving to 5-1, good for third place behind PLDT (6-1) and Cignal (5-2).
The 10-time PVL champions continue to rely on their experienced core led by Jia de Guzman, with Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, Michele Gumabao, and Pangs Panaga providing steady production on both ends of the floor.
[ALSO READ: Tots Carlos is PVL Player of the Week as Creamline ups wins streak to five games]
The Chargers, however, are also gaining momentum.
After opening the conference with three straight losses, Akari has responded with three consecutive victories, including a four-set triumph over the Capital1 Solar Spikers in its last outing.
With a 3-3 record, the Chargers currently sit seventh in the standings but remain within striking distance of the Top 4, making Thursday’s showdown a crucial opportunity to move up the ladder.
Akari will again lean on Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Ced Domingo, and Eli Soyud, who have anchored the team’s recent surge.
[ALSO READ: ‘Scrappy’ Akari finds PVL identity amid three-game surge after win vs Capital1]
In the 6:30 p.m. match, the Nxled Chameleons try to halt a four-game losing streak when they take on the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
Nxled pushed Creamline to a grueling five-set duel in its previous match but fell short in the closing stretch, extending its slump.
The Chameleons remain a dangerous squad led by Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and Myla Pablo, with support from EJ Laure, Chiara Permentilla, Lyann De Guzman, Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, and Ranya Musa.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee is also eager to snap its skid after sliding to a 1-6 record.
The Thunderbelles will lean on Jovelyn Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, Chinnie Arroyo, Fiola Ceballos, Chai Troncoso, Renee Peñafiel, and Cess Robles, with Cloanne Mondonedo directing the offense.
The games will air on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.
(With reports from Kiko Demigillo/One Sports)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]