The Akari Chargers and the Creamline Cool Smashers will duel for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference championship.
(UPDATED - SEPTEMBER 2: Due to inclement weather, the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference have been moved to September 4)
The final day of what has been an eventful 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference is upon us.
It’s an all-pink finale in the import-spiced tournament, with the Akari Chargers seeking history as the fresh challengers to the Creamline Cool Smashers dynasty in the PVL.
With a 10-0 record heading into the Finals, the Chargers have the unique opportunity to only win their first-ever championship but also join a rather unique champion club.
[Related: Ivy Lacsina, Akari ‘embrace the hate’ ahead of first-ever PVL Finals in Reinforced Conference]
A victory for Akari means an 11-0 sweep, which will allow the Chargers to join the Creamline Cool Smashers as the only teams to sweep an entire tournament since the PVL turned pro.
Speaking of the Cool Smashers, a victory for the original pink team means that Creamline would finally regain the championship that has eluded the franchise for so long.
[Related: Erica Staunton’s growth with Creamline on full display as Cool Smashers near elusive PVL Reinforced crown]
While the Cool Smashers have long dominated PVL tournaments featuring all-local lineups, the Reinforced Conference has been their kryptonite.
Creamline last won the Reinforced Conference in 2018, and the Cool Smashers’ last Finals appearance in this conference came all the way back in 2019.
Both Akari and Creamline took the five-set semis route to advance to this intriguing titular showdown. However, both teams’ path couldn’t have been more different.
[Related: 'Hope for the best': PLDT files official complaint with the PVL Board over controversial end to semis clash with Akari]
The Chargers’ five-set win over PLDT was marred by late-game controversy due to a net touch call that went uncalled and was later challenged, only for the challenge to be deemed unsuccessful.
[Related: PVL semis: No. 1 Akari charges to first-ever Finals after frustrating PLDT in five sets]
Meanwhile, the Cool Smashers had to dig extra deep to take down the no. 2 seed Cignal HD Spikers, needing to climb out of a 0-2 set deficit and four match points in set 4.
Before a new PVL champion is crowned though, both the High Speed Hitters and the HD Spikers fight for some sort of consolation, with PLDT and Cignal squaring off for a spot at the podium at 4:00 p.m. from the Big Dome.
[Related: Double career-highs for Erica Staunton and Bernadeth Pons help Creamline complete epic PVL semis comeback vs. Cignal]
Cignal targets its sixth podium finish in nine PVL conferences, while PLDT shoots for its first.
The all-pink finale between Akari and Creamline will then follow, with the Chargers and the Cool Smashers set for their first serve at 6:00 p.m.