The heated Final Four race in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference is nearing its thrilling conclusion, and the penultimate week of the elimination round may prove to be the turning point.
With just a small margin of separation among the six remaining teams, every match carries significance in determining the final playoff picture.
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As the jostle for positioning continues, let’s check out this week’s slate of intense matches.
April 16 – PhilSports Arena, Pasig
Petro Gazz Angels vs. Cignal HD Spikers – 4:00 p.m.
Sitting at the fourth spot with a 6-2 record, Petro Gazz aims to solidify its position in the semifinal scenario.
However, the Angels must remain vigilant against rebound-seeking Cignal, which fell to a 5-3 mark at sixth following a deflating defeat via sweep at the hands of Chery Tiggo.
Still, momentum is on the side of Petro Gazz as it comes off a morale-boosting five-set victory over defending champion Creamline.
[ALSO READ: ‘She was our hero’ | Koji Tsuzurabara lauds Remy Palma’s leadership in Petro Gazz’s PVL escape over Creamline]
Not to mention that Brooke Van Sickle, who dropped a career-high 29 points over the Cool Smashers, appears to be peaking at every turn.
If the Angels secure the win, they could soar to solo second or third, dealing a significant blow to the HD Spikers' chances and pushing them to the brink of elimination.
However, if Cignal emerges victorious, it would rejuvenate the HD Spikers' semifinal aspirations while potentially dropping Petro Gazz to fifth in the standings.
Chery Tiggo Crossovers vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters – 6:00 p.m.
PLDT is the hottest team in the league right now.
Riding the crest of a five-game winning surge, the High Speed Hitters, who hold a 7-1 tally at third, are looking to use the momentum to push them up the ladder.
However, standing in their way are Eya Laure and the rest of the Chery Tiggo crew, the culprits behind the streak-busting defeats of Creamline and Petro Gazz.
[ALSO READ: Chery Tiggo's Eya Laure slays to take her first PVL Player of the Week nod]
The Crossovers, who hold the fifth spot with a 6-2 record, are equally hot and are on a four-game win streak of their own.
If the High Speed Hitters come out on top, they would catapult into solo second, putting them within reach of a coveted seat in the semifinals.
However, if the Crossovers prevail, they could potentially break into the top four, solidifying their position in the playoff race.
April 18 – Smart Araneta Coliseum, Cubao
Strong Group Athletics vs. Farm Fresh – 4:00 p.m.
This may be the only match between also-ran teams for the week, but do expect intense action.
Strong Group Athletics is still in the hunt for its breakthrough moment in the PVL after nine unsuccessful outings.
And with two matches left on its schedule, SGA will attempt to pull out all the stops to obtain that elusive W.
Farm Fresh, however, is also eager for a victory as the Foxies have suffered defeats in their last five matches.
Creamline Cool Smashers vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans – 6:00 p.m.
This is the big one.
For the first time since their title clash in the Second All-Filipino Conference, Creamline and Choco Mucho are set to face off once again.
However, the dynamics have shifted since then, with the defending champions now entering the fray as unlikely underdogs, while the Flying Titans remain perched atop the standings with an 8-1 record.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Alyssa Valdez glad to see Creamline regain form and confidence after loss to Petro Gazz]
With Choco Mucho hungry for payback and its first-ever win over its sister team, Creamline, which holds a 7-2 slate at solo second, should show up with its championship form to keep its title-retention hopes alive.
Adding intensity to the marquee match, a three-set or four-set victory for the Flying Titans would not only solidify their position at the top of the standings, but also secure the first semis berth of the conference.
Another factor that could affect the outcome of the bout is Kat Tolentino, who might be sidelined once more due to an auditory condition.
[RELATED: PVL: Royse Tubino embraces challenge of stepping up for Kat Tolentino as Choco Mucho continues semis chase]
April 20 – Sta. Rosa Sports Complex, Laguna
Petro Gazz Angels vs. Galeries Tower Highrisers – 2:00 p.m.
No win is given in the home stretch of the preliminaries, but Petro Gazz will have to make the most out of its favorable match with also-ran Galeries Tower.
Should the Angels take down the Cignal HD Spikers on Tuesday, the momentum might just push them past the Highrisers.
However, Van Sickle and co. cannot underestimate Galeries Tower, which seeks a strong finish to its breakthrough campaign. A victory over the Angels could be the crown jewel to what has been an impressive conference for the Highrisers.
[ALSO READ: PVL: After career-best performance, France Ronquillo vows to help Galeries Tower build on breakthrough campaign]
Complacency could be fatal if Petro Gazz happens to fall into such a pit.
Akari Chargers vs. Chery Tiggo Crossovers – 4:00 p.m.
Akari has already fallen out of contention after Creamline orchestrated a straight-set rout of Nxled last Saturday.
Still, the Chargers are refusing to surrender their remaining games, as they attempt to spoil the chances of Chery Tiggo.
Cignal HD Spikers vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters – 6:00 p.m.
If Cignal falls to Petro Gazz on Tuesday, it will highlight a concerning trend for the HD Spikers – they have yet to secure a victory against any of the remaining contenders.
This could potentially give PLDT a psychological advantage heading into their matchup.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jovelyn Gonzaga strives to be a vocal leader for Cignal]
Barring such a scenario, the HD Spikers have enough firepower to keep up with the High Speed Hitters, setting the stage for a thrilling clash.
A victory for Cignal would keep its campaign afloat. Meanwhile, a triumph for PLDT would not only bolster its chances of advancing but could also secure its spot in the next round, provided it wins its preceding game.