Games today at the MOA Arena

10 a.m. – PLDT vs Vice Co (men’s – for third)
1:45 p.m. – Pocari-Air Force vs BanKo-Perlas (women’s – for 3rd)
3:45 p.m. – Creamline vs PayMaya (women’s – for crown)
6 p.m. – Cignal vs Air Force (men’s – for crown)

Alyssa Valdez (2) and Jia Morado (12) look to lead Creamline to its maiden PVL title. Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – The Creamline Cool Smashers are bracing for a huge fightback from PayMaya even as they gun for a sweep of their best-of-3 finals series in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Cool Smashers, coming off a 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19 triumph in the opener last Sunday, go for the clincher at 3:45 p.m.

Another win will give Creamline its maiden crown in the PVL after falling short twice last year.

"We all want to win, hindi lang naman ako," said top spiker Alyssa Valdez. "More than ever, it's everyone who wanted this win, who wanted to win the championship."

"That's why maganda ang teamwork namin," she added.

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Valdez is tipped to lead the way anew for the Cool Smashers, especially as she is playing in the MOA Arena – the site of her greatest success as a volleyball player.

"It's always good to be back at the place where you won your first-ever championship," said Valdez, who steered Ateneo de Manila University to its first ever UAAP crown in Season 76 against De La Salle University, before powering them to a sweep of UAAP Season 77.

In both instances, the championship games were held at the MOA Arena.

With Thai reinforcement Kuttika Kaewpin complementing well with Valdez on the attacking end, towering replacement import Laura Schaudt settling down with the team’s play-patterns and providing intimidating presence on the net and the rest of the squad’s solid support, the Cool Smashers are all set for the big finish.

However, PayMaya coach Roger Gorayeb is sure to have something up his sleeve, and the mentor is expected to pull out all stops to neutralize the Cool Smashers.

American import Tess Rountree gears up for another spiking duel with Valdez and Kaewpin, while fellow import Shelby Sullivan is hoping to raise the level of her game and provide the needed support.

PayMaya locals Jerilli Malabanan, Joyce Sta. Rita, Celine Domingo, and Aiko Urdas are expected to step up to complement the games of local ace Grethcel Soltones and setter Jasmine Nabor.

Meanwhile, Air Force likewise will try to finish off Cignal in their own duel for the men’s crown with the Jet Spikers seeking to score a follow up to their 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 30-28, 15-8 decision over the HD Spikers in Game One last Sunday.

They clash at 6 p.m. while Pocari also goes for third place honors in women’s play against BanKo-Perlas at 1:45 p.m.

Vice Co also shoots for third place in the men’s side at 10 a.m.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

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