It's the playoff matchup fans have been hoping to see: champion squad versus champion squad in one tournament. No import, all locals, and an actual competition worth watching.
With the PLDT High Speed Hitters securing the third seed, they helped arrange a best-of-three semifinals between defending champions and top seed Creamline Cool Smashers (7-1) and the resurgent F2 Logistics Cargo Movers (6-2).
And Creamline has a lot to dread in facing this fourth-seeded F2 Logistics team. It was this yellow squad, perennial champions of the now-defunct Philippine Super Liga, which dealt the Cool Smashers their only loss of the conference.
The Cool Smashers looked invincible and ready to roll over the league before that February 18 match. They were perfect in all their prior wins, not dropping a single set, until the Cargo Movers stopped them.
And it was not the first time. Three months ago, F2 Logistics also gave Creamline a taste of defeat in last season's Reinforced Conference with a five-setter.
But the situation now is a bit different compared to those two previous matchups.
Missing pieces: Alyssa Valdez and Myla Pablo
Coach Sherwin Meneses made it clear that Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez won't be playing in the semifinals. Recovering from last conference's knee injury is still the priority. But Ate Ly remains a valuable asset, as she gives the team input and adjustments from the sidelines.
Plus, the Cool Smashers managed to win the rest of their matches with only three to four sets thanks to their second stringers.
Myla Pablo though is going "day-by-day" after suffering from cramps, according to coach Regine Diego. While she is hoping Bagyong Pablo will make it to the semifinals, the Cargo Movers are also making her health a priority.
Ara Galang, Elaine Kasilag, and the comebacking Cha Cruz-Behag have been stepping up in Pablo's absence.
Here's where the two teams stand after the end of the preliminaries. They have their own strengths, but will banking on those be enough to beat the other?
Top scorers
F2 Logistics: Kim Kianna Dy (2nd in PVL) - 127 pts
Creamline: Tots Carlos (6th) - 111 pts
With Bagyong Pablo recovering as a low pressure area, Point City Kim Kianna Dy leads F2 Logistics as the top scorer. She ranks second in the league with 127 points.
Reigning MVP Tots Carlos is sixth with 111 points, but that's not a knock on the defending champions. Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Ced Domingo also figure in the top 15.
The Cargo Movers' next top scorer on the other hand, is Pablo at 14th with 90 pts.
Top spikers
Creamline: Michele Gumabao (1st) - 40.43% success rate
Creamline (1st) - 37.33% success rate
Creamline co-captain Jia De Guzman has the luxury of choosing from so many weapons and she's been utilizing them all. The Cool Smashers are on top of the spiking department, thanks to the cannons that are Gumabao, Carlos, and Galanza. With an arsenal like this, where would you even begin to defend?
For F2 Logistics, KKD remains the queen at sixth place with a 32.27% success rate.
Top blockers
F2 Logistics: Aby Maraño (1st) - 0.73 blocks/set
F2 Logistics (3rd) - 2.27 blocks/set
The Cargo Movers may be missing a wing, but that never stopped captain Aby Maraño. Tyang leads all players in the blocking department, even calling her own number after this huddle against the Cignal HD Spikers.
The Cool Smashers, previously lagging in blocks, have actually improved in the conference. Ced Domingo, along with MG, and Pangs Panaga have been solid with their blocks for Creamline.
Top servers
Creamline: Jia De Guzman (1st) - 0.46 aces/set
Creamline (1st) - 1.61 aces/set
Jiamazing is not called Jiamazing for nothing. While she can confuse opponents with her spikers, the Creamline co-captain can also kill a team by herself, right at the service line.
F2 Logistics' own setter, Kim Fajardo, is at sixth place.
Top diggers
F2 Logistics: Dawn Macandili (2nd) - 6.00 excellent digs/set
F2 Logistics (2nd) - 15.27 excellent digs/set
The new Mrs. Everywhere continues to win at life, ranking second in digs next to PLDT's Kath Arado. Dawn Macandili has always been steady with her pancake saves and you know she's getting the best education with Diego, a former libero herself.
Creamline's Kyla Atienza though shouldn't be scoffed at since she makes her own incredible saves. Check out this buwis-buhay moment.
Top setters
Creamline: Jia De Guzman (1st) - 7.32 excellent sets/set
Creamline (1st) - 7.96 excellent/set
The Best Setter award in the All-Filipino Conference has been all but decided for Jia. She has outperformed all setters and has made sure to feed her spikers and her middles in every match. And you know Meneses, as a former setter himself, gives De Guzman a lot of insight.
F2 Logistics' KAF is currently third in the setting department with 4.80.
Top receivers
F2 Logistics: Dawn Macandili (3rd) - 44.89% efficiency
Creamline (3rd) - 36.82% efficiency
Receptions are the bread and butter of liberos, so it's no surprise that Macandili is among the leaders in the department.
Creamline's Alyssa Valdez was stellar last conference as a receiver and as a digger, but Carlos and Galanza have also been ensuring that they get a good first ball.
The F2 Logistics-Creamline rematch in the semifinals starts this Saturday, March 18, at 4 p.m.