A high-stakes Cignal-Creamline showdown has had PVL fans salivating since 2022. In 2024, it’s finally here.
It took over two years, but the highly-anticipated mega powers showdown between the Cignal HD Spikers and the Creamline Cool Smashers is finally upon us.
For the first time in the PVL, these two proud clubs will square off in a playoff knockout situation.
Yes, first time. Weird, right?
A high-stakes Cignal-Creamline showdown has had PVL fans salivating since 2022. In 2024, it’s finally here.
But while there will be no Rachel Anne Daquis or Alyssa Valdez in this mega encounter, the HD Spikers and Cool Smashers will not be short on fire and star power.
Veteran import MJ Perez returned to the Philippines this year, reinforcing a Cignal team full of many former rivals. A champion player, Perez is eager to add a PVL trophy to her Philippine collection.
Opposite her in Creamline is the youthful Erica Staunton, who certainly doesn’t look like a rookie as she looks to mark her club volleyball debut with a championship playing for a team that already has plenty.
The local cast is as loaded as ever too, even without two of both teams' most recognizable volleyball queens.
[Related: PVL: Jackie Acuña applies lessons from Cignal coaches, veterans for huge leap as middle blocker in Reinforced Conference]
Cignal has former MVP in Ces Molina being super as usual, while Creamline has a future MVP in Bernadeth Pons who took the Reinforced Conference as an opporunity to remind everyone why she’s not just a beach volleyball star, but a volleyball star, period.
Riri Meneses, Jackie Acuña, Rose Doria, and Chin Basas make up for the famous HD Spikers Iron Wall. Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, and Bea de Leon are all eager contributors for the Cool Smashers, amazingly offsetting the absences of not only Valdez, but also of Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza.
Even the setter showdown is immaculate, with Gel Cayuna and Kyle Negrito fighting for the title of no. 1 in the PVL.
[Related: "MVPons?" Bernadeth Pons makes case for PVL Reinforced MVP as she takes over for undermanned Creamline]
Bottomline is, the Mega Powers are mega for a reason.
Still, not all Cignal-Creamline games have been hits, but all Cignal-Creamline games have been tagged as big games, and rightfully so.
And for the first time ever, we have Cignal vs. Creamline in a straight-up playoff knockout. This is the biggest one yet.
4:30 p.m. August 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Buckle up.