There can only be one. The Petro Gazz Angels and the Creamline Cool Smashers will be fighting for the PVL Reinforced Conference semifinal berth.
A rematch of the 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference Finals takes center stage this Tuesday. But this time, the showdown will take place in a win-or-go-home quarterfinal.
The Creamline Cool Smashers and the Petro Gazz Angels will add another chapter to their storied rivalry, slugging it out in the main game at 6:00 p.m. in the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday, August 27.
The winner will face the second-seed Cignal HD Spikers— who punched their ticket in the next round after eliminating Marina Tushova and the Capital1 Solar Spikers— in the knockout semifinals.
[ALSO READ: PVL playoffs: Cignal survives Marina Tushova's record 50 points in thrilling five-set duel]
Petro Gazz turned the corner after a rough start this conference, winning their last four prelims games for a 5-3 slate and claimed the sixth seed in the playoffs.
During that stretch, the Angels scored a two-hour, 46-minute five-set marathon victory against the Cool Smashers behind Brooke Van Sickle and import Wilma Salas’ combined 58-point output.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Wilma Salas, Petro Gazz cool off rival Creamline in five-set thriller]
The deadly duo of Van Sickle (22.3 PPG) and Salas (21.4 PPG) are expected to banner the Angels anew while veterans Aiza-Maizo Pontillas, Jonah Sabete, and Remy Palma could provide the much-needed local support.
Meanwhile, Creamline is facing perhaps its toughest road to a championship up to date.
An eight-time PVL champion, the Cool Smashers survived the absence of superstars Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza in the group play to finish as the no. 3 seed with a 6-2 win-loss record.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Creamline topples ZUS Coffee, secures no. 3 seed heading into Reinforced Conference playoffs]
Head coach Sherwin Meneses even admitted that he is unsure whether the trio will return in the playoffs, but expresses Creamline’s readiness to embark on the title chase without them.
“Hopefully makabalik sila. Pero hindi ko kasi masagot kasi `yung medical team namin wala pang advice. Pero ready naman kami in case hindi sila makabalik. Ready naman 'yung team,” Meneses spoke.
Main setter Kyle Negrito added: “Creamline pa rin naman kahit sinong andiyan. Matagal naman na kami magkakasama so walang problema.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Kyle Negrito bares Creamline's mindset heading to Reinforced Conference knockout quarterfinals]
Bernadeth Pons emerged as the Cool Smashers' main local offensive threat without the MVP trio, averaging 16.4 points in the prelims with interim team captain Michele Gumabao norming 13.4 markers.
But the spotlight will surely be on Erica Staunton, who averaged a team-leading 21.9 points in pool play and will be making her first PVL playoff appearance.
Consider this as well: the Cool Smashers held a 24-7 advantage in 31 head-to-head clashes with the Angels since 2019. But Petro Gazz seems to be enjoying a more successful run, having won its titles in the last two editions of the import-laden conference.
Will this be the year Creamline finally takes the reigns away from its fierce rival?