Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
PETRO Gazz and Creamline rekindle their rivalry as they clash in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference today, October 18, at the PhilSports Arena.
Game is set at 5:30 p.m., serving as the main event of the day's double-header that also features the battle between United Auctioneers and F2 Logistics at 2:30 p.m.
The Angels and the Cool Smashers met in the 2019 Finals edition of the Reinforced Conference, with the former beating the latter in the best-of-3 series, 2-1, to win the championship and deny the Cool Smashers a three-peat.
Chi Saet, Cienne Cruz, Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng were the only holdovers from that champion Petro Gazz team then led by imports Janisa Johnson and Wilma Salas.
delivered to your inbox
However, the Angels' core for this season led by Myla Pablo and Grethcel Soltones have also faced the Alyssa Valdez-led Creamline in this year's Open Conference with the latter winning the gold.
The Cool Smashers have practically paraded the same lineup as they did in the 2019 import-laden tourney save for back-to-back MVP Tots Carlos and Jeanette Panaga.
Hence, Petro Gazz and Creamline have so much history with each other going into this conference, where the stakes are higher as the Angels are looking to retain their title while the Cool Smashers are aiming to win the Grand Slam after winning the two previous Conferences — Open and Invitational.
Petro Gazz's title-retention bid is off to a good start after it swept Choco Mucho 27-25, 25-22, 28-26 last Tuesday, when Angels American reinforcement Lindsey Mae Vander Weide dropped 25 points on 20 kills, three blocks and two aces.
“Creamline's gap from the league got bigger because of their international experience (AVC Cup and Asean Grand Prix) and their import is really good. We're taking it one game at a time,” said Petro Gazz head coach Rald Ricafort.
“We're lucky because what we lacked in the outside spiker position last conference, Lindsey is filling in that gap so well. Let's see what's going to happen in our match.”
On the other hand, Creamline, reinforced by Turkish Yeliz Basa, began their Grand Slam bid with a 25-22, 25-18, 26-28, 25-22 triumph over PLDT last Thursday, when Valdez came through with a triple-double of 17 points, 17 excellent receptions and 13 digs in her first game back since incurring dengue fever last August.
Carlos didn't play in that contest to rest but she is likely for today.
“They're a good team (Petro Gazz). From what I saw in their first game, they've really improved, especially on their quick plays,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses of the Angels.
*****
Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
