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Joey Villar - The Philippine Star
April 8, 2025 | 12:00am
The Cool Smashers should be the prohibitive favorites after having made the finale for a seventh straight time and 15th in the last 16 conferences overall – both league marks.
STAR / File
Cool Smashers, Angels begin title showdown
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline eyes a record five-peat and an 11th Premier Volleyball League title overall while Petro Gazz shoots for a third crown and first All-Filipino Conference championship in their best-of-three title showdown starting today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Cool Smashers should be the prohibitive favorites after having made the finale for a seventh straight time and 15th in the last 16 conferences overall – both league marks.
“I think Creamline has the slight edge in terms of chemistry,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses shortly after they made the finals following a 25-19, 25-15, 25-15 thrashing of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last week at the Big Dome.
But the separation between the two shouldn’t be that wide considering that the Angels made it to the finals first with a sweep of the single-round robin semis including an emphatic 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 win over the dynastic champions last March 29.
The Cool Smashers and the Angels clash in Game 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Hunger will be a motivation for Petro Gazz, winner of two Reinforced Conference titles but never one outside it. It aims for a breakthrough All-Filipino title after coming close to winning one before falling to Creamline two years ago.
“It’s really different when it’s the All-Filipino,” said Petro Gazz star Myla Pablo, who was part of the last championship by the franchise three years ago. “In the Reinforced Conference, the focus is on the import, but here, everyone contributes and works together as a team.”
For battle-scarred setter Chie Saet, it’s championship or nothing.
“We’re extremely happy because every team dreams of becoming a champion,” said Saet, who was a vital cog to Petro Gazz’ sensational ascent in this conference. “We really worked hard for this. We sacrificed a lot. That’s why now, we’ll find a way – we’re going to finish what we started.”
Meanwhile, Akari and Choco Mucho battle for third spot, also in a best-of-three affair.
Game 2 is set Thursday also at the Big Dome while a decider, if necessary, is Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
